Bhadohi’s Caste Equations To Choose Its Victor: TMC Or The BJP (image-X/LaliteshPati)
The INDIA alliance in Uttar Pradesh has placed its faith in Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Lalitesh Pati Tripathi to win the Bhadohi Lok Sabha seat, making it the sole seat in the state with no Congress or Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate against the ruling BJP.
Additionally, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded Harishankar Singh Chauhan. But a major political battle is expected to occur between the TMC and the BJP.
Renowned for its carpet manufacturing, SP president Akhilesh Yadav has offered the parliamentary seat from his quota as an attempt to strengthen the relationship between him and the TMC supremo.
Fielding the great grandson of former state chief minister late Kamlapati Tripathi in the Brahmin-dominated seat appears to be working in favour of the Mahagathbandhan as the TMC candidate has an edge over the BJP candidate, Dr. Vinod Kumar, a member of the backward community.
Along with the Brahmin vote, Tripathi also enjoys the support of a significant section of votes from the backward communities and the Muslim population. However, the major disadvantage for the party and its symbol is its lack of recognition and popularity within the constituency.
In the 2014 elections, the Bhadohi constituency, among several others in the state, also witnessed the Modi wave. In the subsequent elections, the lotus once again bloomed, with Ramesh Chand Bind securing victory with 5.1 lakh votes.
However, this time, the locals are angry at the ruling BJP due to the lack of development within the carpet city. With crores worth of carpets being exported to regions like the US and Europe annually, the carpet industry in Bhadohi employs over five lakh people. A lack of infrastructural development and promotion of the hand-made carpets by the sitting MP, who, as per the locals, rarely made a visit to the region, is a major issue for the artisans.
With voting scheduled for May 25 in Bhadohi, the issues of unemployment and development are expected to take a backseat as caste equations become instrumental in the election results.
In terms of the caste composition in the constituency, Brahmins comprise 3.25 lakh voters, the Bind community makes up 3 lakhs, followed by Dalits at 2.75 lakh and Muslims at 2.5 lakh. The Kshatriya, Yadav, and Vaishyas make up one lakh voters each among the total 20 lakh voter base in the constituency.
The Bhadohi Lok Sabha seat comprises Vidhan Sabhas such as Pratappur, Handia, Bhadohi, Gyanpur, and Aurai (SC).
