The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch a state—wide outreach campaign titled ‘Operation Dalit’ in Uttar Pradesh, with the aim of strengthening its connect with the Dalit community ahead of the upcoming elections.
The campaign will officially kick off on April 13, the eve of Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti, with a major event at Bhagidari Bhawan in Lucknow.
The initiative, designed as a focused socio—political drive, will see BJP holding district—level seminars and community meetings in Dalit— dominated bastis and mohallas across the state between April 15 and April 25.
These events will include dialogues, awareness workshops, and cultural programs centered on Ambedkar’s vision and the BJP’s outreach to the marginalised communities.
The campaign’s inauguration will feature a state-level workshop attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who will be the chief guest.
Senior BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, as well as State BJP President Bhupendra Chaudhary, will also be present.
Other prominent office-bearers from the party’s state unit are expected to participate in the event.
According to party insiders, the objective of this campaign is not only to commemorate Ambedkar Jayanti but also to politically consolidate Dalit support by contrasting the BJP’s efforts for social justice with what it calls the Congress’s “tokenism” toward Dalit empowerment.
The BJP plans to use this platform to highlight the difference in approach between the Congress and the BJP on Dalit issues.
“This campaign will make it clear who has truly worked for Dalit upliftment,” a party spokesperson said.
Educational sessions during the workshops will reportedly focus on the BJP-led government’s initiatives for Dalits and expose what the party describes as the Congress’s “decades of neglect.”
Party leaders have also indicated that the workshops will emphasise schemes such as housing for the poor, reservation in education, jobs and entrepreneurship programs, which the BJP claims have benefited Dalit youth across Uttar Pradesh.
Observers see Operation Dalit as part of the BJP’s broader strategy to shore up support among marginalised communities, particularly in light of recent political churn and the emergence of Dalit-centric narratives among opposition parties.
“With Dalit voters forming a significant chunk of the electorate in Uttar Pradesh, the campaign is seen as a pre-emptive effort by the BJP to secure its social base ahead of future electoral contests, especially as opposition parties attempt to build alliances aimed at consolidating non-BJP votes,” political analyst RN Bajpayee said.
The campaign is expected to continue in phases beyond April, with follow-up events, door-to-door outreach and digital engagements.