The Samajwadi Party has quietly renewed preparations to face the electorate. The focus this time is on wooing the support of most backward castes (MBC) in UP, and in other states too.
Other United Front constituents are also doubtful about the fate of the central government but the uncertainties of the political situation in the Samajwadi Partys home base, Uttar Pradesh, have made its leaders particularly active.
They know that they must work overtime to build on the solid support they received from Muslims and Yadavs in the October assembly elections. To increase the number of the partys seats, the party needs to bring into its fold at least one other large section of voters.
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The most backward castes have lacked strong political leadership but have developed a heightened political consciousness in recent years. During the October Assembly elections, the BSP, the SPs bete noire, went whole hog to win over the MBCs. Now, it is the SP leaderss turn to try.
It is true that ours is a party of Yadavs and Muslims. We have been saying, since Amar Singh has become a key player in the party, that Thakurs are also drawing towards us. But this is not true yet. So we will have to focus on MBCs, a senior SP functionary said.
Yadav had recently held two rallies of backward castes in UP where he stressed on the unity of backward castes. Yadav has been extensively touring UP to train his cadre about the tenets of Lohiasm. The basic thrust is on emphasising backwards unity, a leader pointed out.
It is not the first time that SP leaders have attempted to forge an alliance of Muslims and Yadavs with a different caste group.
Before the 1993 assembly elections, Yadav desperately tried, though with at best partial success, to wean away Vaishyas from the BJP. Yadav had then promised to work for the removal of sales tax.
Subsequently, Yadav tried as Chief Minister to win over the scheduled castes and Jats to the SP, but some of his lieutenants admit that he could not. Then Amar Singh was made a key player in anticipation that Thakurs would positively respond to this.
At the same time, the party has initiated steps to move into other states, notably Bihar and Rajasthan. Yadav has projected himself as a national leader in the past too, but with his focus sharply on Lucknow. He knows that the UP voter likes to think of his leaders as having national stature.
Yadav recently addressed a gathering in Bihar, at which he pitched himself clearly against the ruling Janata Dal. He said he wanted his party to form a government in the state.
Yadav attacked the Laloo Prasad Yadav government in no uncertain terms and supported the Left partiess call for bihar bandh on December 16. Yadav has had a particularly close rapport with CPI(M) leaders HKS Surjeet and Jyoti Basu.
SP leaders are also in touch with CPI(ML) leaders, who are gearing up to form an anti-corruption front against the Janata Dal government in Bihar. SP leaders are also supportive of the agitational plans of the Left parties.
The CPI has already decided to launch agitations beginning from February against the misrule of the Laloo Prasad Yadav government.