Sangeet Som and Mayawati spar over the Meerut incident, the victim’s family reached Akhilesh’s door, war broke out on ‘D’ factor before the elections Sangeet Som and Mayawati spar over the Meerut incident; the victim’s family approaches Akhilesh; Battle over the ‘D’ factor erupts ahead of the elections.

The Dalit student case, which came to light from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has now taken a very sensitive and big political form. Just before the upcoming assembly elections, the temperature of state politics has completely heated up regarding this issue. The most shocking turn in this entire incident came when the firebrand leader of BJP with staunch ideologies, Sangeet Som, and the national president of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Mayawati appeared to be on the same page. On the other hand, the victim’s family has met Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. Behind this entire political turmoil, the competition to tap the ‘Dalit’ (D Factor) vote bank can be clearly seen.

What is the meaning of political alliance between Sangeet Som and Mayawati?

Meerut and its surrounding areas have always been very important in the politics of western Uttar Pradesh. Former MLA Sangeet Som has taken a tough stand regarding the Meerut Dalit student case, openly questioning the policing and administrative promptness of his own government. Interestingly, BSP supremo Mayawati has also said almost similar things while criticizing the government on this issue. Political analysts believe that through this, Sangeet Som is strengthening his ground among the Thakur and Dalit equations of Western UP, while Mayawati is giving a message to her core cadre that her party is the most vocal for Dalit interests.

Victim’s family reached Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav assured help

Amidst this entire incident, the family members of the victim Dalit girl went to Lucknow and met Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav at his residence. Akhilesh Yadav listened to the plight of the family and assured them of all possible legal and financial help. On this pretext, the SP chief launched a scathing attack on the law and order situation of Uttar Pradesh and said that daughters and Dalit community are not safe under BJP rule. Through this case, SP is trying to present itself as the biggest face fighting for justice.

Why is there double focus on ‘D’ i.e. Dalit vote bank before elections?

The path to power in Uttar Pradesh passes through social equations. This is the reason why just before the elections, all the political parties are completely focusing their attention on the Dalit (D) vote bank. The number of Dalit voters plays a decisive role in Western Uttar Pradesh (Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur). While BJP is busy preserving its cadre and doing damage control, SP and BSP are trying hard to bring this section into their fold. This case of Meerut is no longer just an administrative issue, but it has become a big political weapon for the upcoming elections.