Nitish Kumar Flags Off Bhim Sansad Rath Yatras to Mobilize Dalits and Backward Classes Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
Patna, 11th Oct 2023 :In a strategic move aimed at engaging Dalits and backward classes ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar flagged off the Bhim Sansad rath yatras in Patna. The event, organized by the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], aims to rally support from the state’s marginalized communities, particularly Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), by highlighting concerns over their constitutional rights, particularly regarding reservation benefits.
The launch of the rath yatras marks the beginning of a series of mobilization efforts targeting the Dalit and backward classes in Bihar. The yatras will travel across various districts in the state, with the Bhim Sansad event scheduled to take place at the Veterinary College ground in Patna on November 5, 2024. The JD(U) is anticipating a large turnout at the event, hoping to garner significant support ahead of the crucial general elections.
Aiming at Dalits and Backward Classes
In his address during the flag-off ceremony, CM Nitish Kumar emphasized the importance of reaching out to the state’s Dalit and backward communities, who have historically been marginalized in terms of social, economic, and political representation. He expressed his commitment to ensuring that the welfare of these communities remains a central focus of his government’s policies. “Our efforts are aimed at strengthening the voice of the oppressed sections of society, and this initiative will give them a platform to raise their concerns,” said Nitish Kumar.
The Bhim Sansad rath yatras are designed to be a direct engagement with these communities, allowing them to express their grievances and highlight the challenges they face. The yatras will travel to various parts of Bihar, spreading awareness about the JD(U)’s stance on social justice and its efforts to safeguard the constitutional rights of Dalits and backward classes.
Minister Ratnesh Sada’s Statement on the Purpose of Bhim Sansad
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister Ratnesh Sada also addressed the gathering at the launch event, explaining the purpose behind the Bhim Sansad initiative. Sada highlighted that the primary objective of the Bhim Sansad was to caution the marginalized sections of society about what he described as attempts by the central government to undermine their rights. “The Narendra Modi government at the Centre is conspiring to scrap the reservation rights granted to Dalits, backward classes, and other marginalized groups under the Constitution,” Sada claimed.
The minister’s remarks reflect the JD(U)’s ongoing strategy to frame the upcoming election as a fight for the rights of these communities, particularly in the context of the ongoing national debate about reservation policies. The Bhim Sansad is being positioned as a platform to mobilize these communities against what they perceive as an erosion of their constitutional guarantees.
Bhim Sansad as a Political Mobilization Tool
The JD(U)’s decision to organize the Bhim Sansad rath yatras comes at a time when political parties are intensifying their campaigns for the 2024 general elections. For Nitish Kumar, the rath yatras are not just a mobilization tool for electoral purposes but also a way to consolidate the support of Dalit and backward voters, who form a significant portion of Bihar’s electorate. The JD(U), along with its allies, aims to harness this support in a bid to maintain its political influence in the state, especially as national parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are also looking to capture the vote bank of marginalized communities.
The rath yatras will pass through areas with a high concentration of Dalits and backward class populations, spreading the party’s message of social justice and highlighting the government’s welfare schemes for these communities. The Bhim Sansad event, scheduled for November 5, will serve as the climax of this mobilization effort, where the party expects a substantial gathering to demonstrate its political strength.
Conclusion: A Strategic Push for Support
The flagging off of the Bhim Sansad rath yatras by CM Nitish Kumar on October 11 is a clear indication of the JD(U)’s strategy to reach out to Dalits and backward classes ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to safeguarding reservation rights and ensuring social justice for marginalized communities in Bihar. With the Bhim Sansad event scheduled for November 5, the JD(U) is keen on building momentum and rallying support from these key voter groups as the election season approaches. As political temperatures rise, the success of this initiative could play a significant role in shaping the electoral outcome in Bihar.