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The caste factor
April 25, 2007
No other single factor is as important as caste in Uttar Pradesh. And in this department, Mayawati holds all the aces. Mayawati, the BSP supremo, is a Jatav. This makes the Schedule Castes her captive vote bank. A huge Dalit base and the way she has managed to play the Brahmin card (she has fielded as many as 89 Brahmin candidates) means Mayawati has covered both ends of the Hindu caste spectrum.
The Dalits vote for her because she is one of them. Under her, they feel empowered. They felt they had somebody who would listen to them, understand their problems.
Satish Sharma, who owns a dhaaba (roadside eaterie) on the Delhi-Lucknow highway, said: "Have you even seen a Brahmin fighting on the road? Have you ever seen a baniya indulging in violence? The BSP is the only party that can take on the Samajwadi Party on the streets. The Congress is ruled from Delhi and the BJP is a party of old men." For many people who have had enough of Mulayam Singh Yadav, the simple answer is Mayawati.
Image: A resident of Mau, Renu, who feels Mayawati will empower the women of the village, with her children.
Also see: UP 4th phase: More crorepatis & criminals
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