BJP prepares for fresh outreach in dalit areas in UP

Lucknow: To counter the “resurgence” of the BSP in Opposition politics, the BJP is planning a fresh campaign to win over dalits.

The party will be sending senior leaders belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to create awareness about the BJP policies for the weaker sections of society.

Former IPS officer and now BJP leader Brijlal, who now heads the SC/ST Commission in Uttar Pradesh, said that the programme would begin from August 4 and districts like Ambedkar Nagar, Faizabad and Gonda that have a sizeable dalit population would be covered in the first phase.

Dalit leaders will embark on tours of western UP at the end of August when the “Kanwar yatras” are over.

The BJP wants to counter the propaganda unleashed by Opposition parties, particularly the BSP, over the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act.

“The Modi government is ready to overturn the SC order and make the SC/ST laws stringent in the monsoon session and we will create awareness among the dalits on this issue so that they do not get swayed by the misinformation campaign,” he added.

Party sources said that the BJP had set up two teams to tour various districts as part of this programme.

Nearly, 38 districts will be covered by Rajya Sabha MP Ram Sakal ands party leaders Manju Diler and Brijlal.

The remaining districts will be covered by BJP MP Kanta Kardam, MLC Vidya Sagar Sonkar and Lalji Prasad Nirmal.

With this campaign, the BJP seeks to decimate the BSP which is appearing to be a a major factor in opposition unity on the eve of Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP has already also run a backward caste outreach program under the flagship of ‘Gram Swaraj Yojana’ under which MPs, including union ministers and senior office bearers of the state unit, had held meetings in Dalit- dominated constituencies.

BJP leaders also opted for a night stay in villages where the SCs/STs constitute over 50 per cent of the population.

D04