As India gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set its sights on Uttar Pradesh, a state with the maximum Lok Sabha seats (80), making it a crucial battleground. The BJP has articulated an ambitious goal: to secure victory in all 80 seats, signaling its concerted efforts to leave no stone unturned in its election strategy.

To achieve this target, the BJP is focusing on uniting voters across caste and religious lines. A particular emphasis is being placed on reaching out to Scheduled Caste voters, who have been experiencing political fragmentation following the decline of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Recognising this shift, the BJP has initiated a series of Scheduled Caste Mahasammelans (mega conferences) throughout the state, aimed at rallying SC/ST voters under its banner.

These Scheduled Caste Mahasammelans have already been held in the western region, Braj, Kanpur region, and Kashi province. The forthcoming mega conference is scheduled for Awadh and Gorakhpur provinces, with a notable twist - it will be led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself, who will be the chief guest.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, despite the Samajwadi Party (SP) and BSP forming an alliance, the BJP managed to maintain a significant lead. A clear example of this was in the Kashi province, where out of a total of 14 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP secured a remarkable victory in 12. This pattern underscores the growing confidence of SC voters in the BJP’s leadership and policies.

State coordinator of BJP’s national training campaign Dr Shailesh Pandey stressed on the party’s inclusive approach, stating, “The BJP does not view SC as a mere vote bank. Our work is based on the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas’. This is why people from every section of society are uniting under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi.”

The Basti Sampark campaign, launched on September 26, took the BJP directly to the Scheduled Caste community. During this campaign, the party shared its policies and engaged with voters, fostering a sense of inclusivity and understanding. The forthcoming conference is intended to build on these efforts, further solidifying the BJP’s commitment to serving all sections of society and ensuring their voices are heard in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.