PUNE, 21 October 2007 — With the aim of building a strong base in the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) stronghold in Maharashtra, the Bahujan Samaj Party is all set to replicate the Uttar Pradesh formula in the state.
A BSP leader told Arab News that his party would be first planning a rally of its cadres at Shivaji Park in Mumbai in November, soon after the Hindu festival of Diwali, to be followed by a conclave of the Brahmin community in Pune, sometime in December. Both the massive rally and the conclave would be addressed by BSP chief and UP Chief Minister Mayawati.
The BSP, the leader said, would also hold a series of meetings with the Brahmin community across the state. Recently the party met with the Brahmins in Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai, Nashik, Thane and in the Konkan region.
“The Brahmin community (upper caste Hindus) in all these places had congratulated Mayawati and had also promised to support her as she is the only political leader that has shown willingness to share power with the Brahmins,” the leader said.
The BSP strategy to organize an international conclave of the Brahmins in Pune is causing jitters among other political parties. The highlight of the BSP conclave would also see the participation of Brahmin intellectuals and industrialists at which a resolution supporting Mayawati would be tabled for her recognizing the Brahmins as a political force and her generosity in sharing power.
In Maharashtra, the Brahmins play a pivotal role in several Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) seats. The Brahmins dominate Pune, Nashik, Thane, Nagpur, and the Konkan region.
The BSP move to consolidate its base in Maharashtra has emerged after Mayawati become the chief minister of UP, five months ago.
In a tactical move to win over the Brahmin community Mayawati has drawn the support of a Brahmin priest, Mahant Sudhirdas Pujari, of a prominent Hindu temple in Nashik district. Pujari has been assigned the task of coordinating with Brahmins.
