The process of formation of a third front comprising small political parties had gained momentum, after the recent visit of Hyderabad MP and AIMIM President, Asaduddin Owaisi to Lucknow. After meeting with the SBSP Chief in December, Owaisi said, “We are now part of Rajbhar’s Morcha.”He had announced AIMIM’sintention to fight the next state elections in Uttar Pradesh by joining hands with Om Prakash Rajbhar.
What is Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha?
It is a conglomeration of smaller parties led by the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), chief Om Prakash Rajbhar.
An ex – ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) Om Prakash Rajbhar, who heads the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party ( SBSP ), was quietly busy gathering alliances with smaller parties in Uttar Pradesh.
OBC leader, Om Prakash Rajbhar plans to mobilize Dalits, backward, and Muslims so that they can play a significant role in the formation of the next government after the 2022 Assembly elections in UP. “If different communities in OBC and SC/ST categories join hands, we will have a major say in the formation of the next state government. Prominently, if the Muslims join us, we will have our own government,” he said, adding that the new alliance would contest all the 403 UP Assembly seats.
Chandra Shekhar Azad / Ravan –The young and popular Dalit leader of Western Uttar Pradesh and Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad launched his political party in March, called the ‘Azad Samaj Party’, on the birth anniversary of Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshiram.
Chandra Shekhar Azad’s meeting with Om Prakash Rajbhar has created ripples in the state’s political corridor. But, while Azad is relying on the Dalit-Muslim-OBC support formula, the presence of an established party like the Samajwadi Party could dent his plans.
SBSP spokesperson, Piyush Mishra said, “Today our party Chief met Chandra Shekhar and he is likely to join our Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha in order to defeat the communal forces in the state in the next assembly elections,”. This would probably be on the same line with Dalit leader, Prakash Ambedkar’s political experiment in Maharashtra.
Azad, who is popularly known as ‘Ravan’ said that his party will contest the upcoming panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh. He made the announcement during a visit to Azamgarh district in UP, where he met the district magistrate and enquired about the alleged delay in providing assistance to the family of a Dalit village head. He accused the Adityanath-led BJP government of “settling scores” with the Opposition and expressed his concerns over the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. He made an announcement that his party will field candidates.
General secretary of SBSP, Arun Rajbhar said, “We are trying to form the government in the state on issues of education, health, electricity, and employment. In the next Assembly elections, which will be held in 2022, we will form a government in the state and give free education and power,” “Whosoever wants to stop the BJP, are welcome in the Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha.” He also said that their coalition will contest all 403 seats in the state.
Few of the other parties which are in talks with SBSP are -> Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP ) and Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia ( PSPL ).