The 37-year-old Bhim Army founder and Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief, Chandrashekhar Aazad, has caused one of the biggest upsets of the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh. Aazad won from the Nagina seat in western UP by over 1.51 lakh votes, defeating the candidates of the BJP, SP and BSP. His victory heralds the rise of a new Dalit force in the country’s heartland amid the decline of the Mayawati-led BSP. In an interview with The Indian Express, Aazad speaks on various issues including his poll performance and his party ASP(KR)’s future plans. Excerpts:
I would like to first thank Babasaheb Ambedkar and Manyavar Kanshi Ram. Had Dr Ambedkar not created this opportunity in the Constitution then this son of a primary school teacher would not have been able to reach Parliament. If Kasnhi Ram did not boost our morale, we would never have the energy to fight this battle. And then the workers of Bhim Army, who have worked hard, suffered police batons and faced criminal charges. And last but not the least, the people of Nagina, who ignored some very big parties to vote for me.
I thank all disadvantaged sections of the society, the minorities, women, but especially people from the Dalit community, who ditched their old party (BSP) to vote for me. The BSP candidate got only 1% vote. I will pay back to the people of Nagina.
It is being said that Dalits and the underprivileged have powered the Opposition INDIA alliance’s surge in UP. What is your assessment?
I completely agree. But it has not happened on its own. This dissatisfaction with the BJP government you see among the people has been fueled by the struggle of the Bhim Army. INDIA alliance people have been consistently in touch with me. When I was shot at (last year), they came to meet me. Later, when I held meetings, they also came to meet me. This sent a message to the electorate that ASP(KR) was part of the INDIA alliance. But they did not make us allies. Probably, they did not want Chandrashekhar to stand on his feet.
Chandrashekhar Aazad campaigning ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: Chandrashekhar Aazad / X)
Still, I discharged my responsibility (in convincing people to defeat the BJP). It was important to break the arrogance of the BJP. We contested only two seats in UP, Nagina and Domariaganj. In the latter, which we decided just 10 days before the polls, we secured more than 80,000 votes. Imagine if we had contested all seats, then on those that the Opposition won by less than 1 lakh votes, it would have lost. We convinced people to vote for the INDIA alliance to save the Constitution. If any alliance candidate can say they won without the votes of Dalits and the underprivileged, I would like to hear from him.
What would you like to say to the SP and Congress which refused to align with you?
I don’t want to tell them anything. I am neither friends with anyone, nor anyone’s enemy. I know that I have to fight the battle of my people on my own. And I would like to see how many times they raise the issue of promotion in reservations for SCs (Scheduled Castes) and STs (Scheduled Tribes) in Lok Sabha. On April 2, 2018, 17 of our people died [amid violent protests against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act], did they utter even one word? They just want our votes. They don’t want to give us political space. We have to strengthen ASP(KR) so much that we do not require anyone’s help. Now we will contest all bypolls and all the upcoming Assembly polls in the country in the next six months.
As an MP what are your priorities now?
I will keep raising my voice for the region that has sent me here. It is underdeveloped. It does not have good hospitals, good colleges or job opportunities. The region faces floods every year. People are forced to migrate. More than 1 lakh voters were absent in the current polls in my constituency because they were working outside. There has been just over 60% voting and BJP has come to power with just over 36% votes. So 39% voters have not voted. It appears to be a conspiracy to keep the underprivileged away from democracy. I will try to bring jobs to my people’s doorsteps so that they don’t have to migrate.
Apart from this, if anywhere in the country, a Dalit, a tribal, an underprivileged, a Muslim, Jain, Baudh or Christian, or for that matter any justice-loving person, faces atrocities, be it from the government or a criminal or a corporate, you will find Chandrashekhar Aazad fighting there.
Why did you choose Nagina to contest from?
It was a decision of our party. I am a humble worker of the party. The basic idea was to help the opposition. Some of the things they took out of our hands, but we did what we could. The rebellion we engineered in Nagina against the establishment had its impact on neighboring seats which were won by the Opposition.
The BSP has declined further to just over 9% vote share in UP. What do you think is the future of the BSP and Mayawati?
Behenji (Mayawati) is our leader. I will always respect her. Given her age, whatever she could do, she has done. It has helped us a lot. But now her unfinished work will be completed by her son (Chandrashekhar Aazad) and ASP. Change is the rule of nature and the society understands this. The society is with the person who is doing the work. Last time, Nagina was won by BSP. In the adjacent seat this time, BSP has secured 2 lakh votes. The future of BSP is in the hands of BSP leaders.
The legacy of Kanshi Ram will be taken forward by ASP(KR). The society has proven that successors will not come through appointment. The real successor of Kanshi Ram’s legacy is Chandrashekhar Aazad.
So, you believe that the BSP’s social base will now shift to you?
My competition is with the BJP. What should I comment on those who are not even in the competition.
The BJP is to form a coalition government. If the need arises, will you support it? The PM washes the feet of Dalits.
Washing feet, dining together, taking utensils from home, getting food ordered from outside, buying mineral water… All of these have become old tricks and Dalits have begun to understand this. But I have not been just voted in by Dalits. Along with Dalits, farmers, Muslims, even general caste voters have also reposed their faith in me. So when the people are against them (BJP), how will I save them? I am more worried about people and not them.