Samajwadi Party (SP) has made a clean sweep by securing absolute majority in Uttar Pradesh. It is not only a vote against incumbency but also against the arrogance with which Mayawati ruled the state.
UP had voted Mayawati to power as a protest against influence of the mafias and the lawlessness which were dominant during the last phase of SP’s rule. Mayawati was credited with social engineering through which she created a rainbow of diverse communities by enlisting the support of not only her core Dalit supporters but also Brahmins and other higher castes. The Muslims, who are one-fifth of population, also decided to give her a chance hoping betterment of their lot. She destroyed this rainbow by neglecting the interests of diverse sections and catered only to the needs of her Dalit vote bank. Instead of improving the conditions of common people she wasted thousands of crores on memorials and theme parks commemorating Kanshi Ram and other Dalit icons. The indulgence of her partymen in heinous crimes also alienated the masses from her.
People watched these developments with utter dismay. Muslims were also disillusioned as she did virtually nothing to address their grievances. They were as marginalised at the end of her term as they were in the beginning. Mulayam and Akhilesh appeared on the election scene as messiahs and promised 18 per cent reservations for the Muslims. Immediately after the election Mayawati also confirmed that 70 per cent Muslims voted for SP. Only time will answer whether the promises are kept or they are only another exercise in deception. Yet another significant factor in the UP election is that 69 Muslims have been elected to the assembly. These Muslims, though not united, may do something concrete to improve the lot of the marginalised community.
One Dalit woman, in Mayawati’s native village, correctly commented, ‘Jaisi karni waisi bharni’ (As we sow, so we reap). She also said that if SP does not come up to the aspirations of the voters, it would also go the Mayawati’s way.
The largest state of India deserves better treatment. One-third of its population is reeling below poverty line. Its growth rate is far lower than many other states. Let us hope that SP will usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, rule of law and inclusiveness. Let the ruling party read the writing on the wall that the common man has become more conscious of his rights and his power. He should no longer be taken for granted.