New Delhi [India], October 9 : BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday criticised the casteist tendencies of Haryana's Jat community, citing it as a major factor in the party's poor performance in the state assembly elections.
While addressing a press conference in the national capital, Mayawati stated that the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) alliance failed to secure votes from the Jat community, except in a few seats, due to their entrenched casteist mindset.
"Regarding the status of our party in yesterday's election results of Haryana and J&K, I would like to say is that Haryana is an agriculture-oriented state. People related to agriculture, especially the Jat community, have not been happy with the anti-farmer policies and works of the State and Centre. They are still not happy...That is why a majority of the votes of the Jat community went to the Congress party. So, BSP-INLD alliance did not get the votes of this community, except on a few seats. But due to their casteist mindset, Jat community did not vote for BSP candidates at all," the BSP chief said.
She attributed the BJP's victory to the infighting within the Chautala family, which led to the Jat community's votes being diverted to the BJP.
"Whereas, BSP's Dalit base vote transferred entirely to INLD candidates. Due to the infighting in Chautala family, benefits of the votes of Jat community connected to them went to BJP...Votes of non-Jat community also went to BJP amid this infighting. So, BJP came to power here once again," Mayawati said.
The BSP chief expressed disappointment that the election remained divided between Jat and Non-Jat communities, harming her party's prospects.
"So, this Haryana election remained divided between Jat and Non-Jat communities. This harmed BSP greatly...The casteist mindset of Jat community in Uttar Pradesh has changed to a great extent due to BSP but the same has not changed in Haryana - their mindset for Dalits has not changed completely," she said.
The BSP chief also remembered party founder Kanshi Ram and said that the it is very essential for the young generation to know that he drew inspiration from the life struggle of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the works done by him.
"Today is the death anniversary of BSP founder, Kanshi Ram. On this occasion, members of the party are conducting various events across the country...It is very essential for the young generation to know that he drew inspiration from the life struggle of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the works done by him...and dedicated his life to finishing his unfinished works.," she said.
According to Election Commission data issued on Tuesday, the Congress in Haryana could not capitalise on the 10 years of anti-incumbency of the BJP government. The BJP won 48 out of 90 seats in the Haryana assembly, while Congress managed to win 37 seats. Independents won 3 seats, and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) secured 2 seats.