In Uttar Pradesh's political arena, the decline of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has coincided with the emergence of a new contender: the youthful Dalit leader Chandrashekhar Azad. As the driving force behind the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), Azad has asserted his presence with a resounding victory in the Nagina Scheduled Caste-reserved constituency.
Azad's electoral success is marked by his decision to contest independently, a move that proved fruitful. He secured victory by an impressive margin of over 1.51 lakh votes, surpassing BJP's Om Kumar and reducing the BJP's share to 36%. The BSP candidate, Surendra Pal Singh, trailed significantly with a mere 1.33% of votes, trailing even behind Samajwadi Party's Manoj Kumar's 10.22%.
The Nagina constituency, with a population of approximately 20% Dalits (predominantly Jatavs), 40% Muslims, and other castes such as Thakurs, Jats, Tyagis, and Banias, has witnessed a significant shift from the 2019 elections, where BSP's Girish Chandra had defeated BJP's Yashwant Singh by over 1.66 lakh votes.
Azad's victory has injected a transformative energy into Dalit politics, especially within the BJP-dominated landscape. His journey began in 2015 with the formation of the Bhim Army, a grassroots organization dedicated to combating caste-based discrimination and championing Dalit rights. Azad's leadership and charisma have attracted countless Dalit youths to his cause, making him a prominent advocate for social justice.
Azad's unwavering commitment to Dalit empowerment and his assertive stance on issues affecting marginalized communities have defined his trajectory. He has fearlessly led protests against injustices, challenged powerful political adversaries with courage and determination, and culminated his efforts in this electoral victory, signaling a new era in Dalit politics.
Hailing from Chutmalpur in Saharanpur district, the 36-year-old Azad holds a law degree. His founding of the Bhim Army in 2015 aimed to uplift Dalits and other marginalized communities. Azad initially gained prominence defending Dalits involved in clashes with the Thakur community in Saharanpur in 2017. His subsequent arrest and prolonged imprisonment under the National Security Act (NSA) by the BJP government only raised his profile among Dalits and minorities.
Released in September 2018, Azad solidified his position through active participation in the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests. Expanding his influence to Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh, he transitioned into electoral politics. His participation in the anti-CAA protests in 2019 helped him gain support from minorities, and he raised his voice against the farmers' bills, participating in protests led by the farmer's union.
After unsuccessful attempts to align with the BSP and a failed bid against BJP's Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur Sadar during the 2022 Assembly polls, Azad shifted his focus. Despite finishing fourth in Gorakhpur, he later allied with the RLD and contributed to their victory in the Khatauli Assembly by-poll in 2022, a setback for the BJP.
Azad's bold confrontation with Yogi Adityanath launched him into the political limelight of Uttar Pradesh. With unwavering fervor, he took aim at the Chief Minister across multiple platforms, demanding equitable treatment for his community. He fearlessly accused Yogi Adityanath of practicing caste-based politics, labeling it as Thakurwaad, and called for an end to what he deemed as favouritism. Despite facing numerous challenges, including imprisonment and political opposition, Azad has remained steadfast in his pursuit of Dalit rights and dignity, heralding a new chapter of empowerment and representation for India's marginalized communities.
Despite the BSP's strong base among Jatavs and the SP-Congress alliance rallying Muslim support, Azad appears to have won the support of both communities in Nagina. With no BSP members remaining in the Lok Sabha, Azad is poised to champion the issues of Dalits and Muslims, potentially rising as an alternative to Mayawati and further weakening the BSP.
Azad's victory holds significant meaning. Firstly, his determination to secure this constituency led to the breakdown of alliance talks with the SP. Choosing to campaign solo, Azad's door-to-door efforts in Nagina paid off. Secondly, his win carries symbolic weight. In 1989, Mayawati won the Bijnor constituency, which now falls under Nagina post-2008 delimitation.
Chandrashekhar Azad's journey from Bhim Army chief to a rising political figure is a testament to his resilience and growing influence among Dalits and minorities, positioning him as a formidable new force in Uttar Pradesh politics. He has emerged as an assertive voice for the marginalized, challenging political establishments and advocating for social justice, thus setting the stage for a new era of Dalit empowerment and political representation.
