Etawah: Where people still talk about Mulayam and Kanshi Ram's political confluence amidst present-day turbulence

Samajwadi Party founder and former CM of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Etawah, nestled along the border with Madhya Pradesh, emerges as a vibrant mosaic of diverse communities and conflicting ideologies, encapsulating the essence of Uttar Pradesh's intricate political landscape.

The Etawah district served as a crucible for the alliance between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). In 1991, the Etawah Lok Sabha constituency bore witness to a profound camaraderie between veteran Dalit leader Kanshi Ram and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was then heading Samajwadi Janata Party.

This historic alliance unfolded when Kanshi Ram clinched a parliamentary seat from the constituency. An eyewitness vividly recalls how Mulayam Singh Yadav, then associated with the Samajwadi Janata Party (SJP), tactically ensured the defeat of Ram Singh Shakya, thereby paving the way for Kanshi Ram's triumph.

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After that election, where Kanshi Ram won by over 1.45 lakh votes, the veteran Dalit leader adviced Mulayam Singh Yadav to form his own political party and thus came Samajwadi Party into existence in 1992. This collaborative effort saw the SP and the BSP joining forces for the 1993 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, culminating in a significant defeat for the BJP.

Much water has flown down the river Chambal since then as Etawah's political landscape has undergone a metamorphosis over the years. "Kanshi Ram's historic electoral triumph in 1991, orchestrated in collaboration with SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, symbolized a beacon of hope for persecuted Dalits, defying prevailing saffron ascendancy. But this did not continue for long," Ram Sumer Yadav, a senior journalist who was witness to Kanshi Ram- Mulayam Singh’s bonhomie said.

The subsequent dissolution of the SP-BSP alliance in 1996 marked the beginning of Etawah's journey through shifting alliances and exposed fractures. The recent attempts to revive the alliance between SP and BSP in 2018, under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati, faced a setback as BJP candidate Ram Shankar Katheria clinched victory, signaling further fissures within the Dalit electorate.

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Today, as Etawah gears up for another electoral showdown, the battleground witnesses a diverse array of contenders vying for support across its complex demographic tapestry. From Dalits and Yadavs to Lodhs, Brahmins, and Thakurs, the electorate represents a complex interplay of shifting allegiances.

Amidst the intricacies of caste equations lies a shared dream of progress, transcending identity politics. However, stark disparities persist, with villages like Bhadpura grappling with neglect and poverty amidst lofty political promises. The contrasting prosperity of Kunera village, a Yadav stronghold, and the resolute support for BJP in Pachavali village exemplify the diverse aspirations and loyalties entrenched within Etawah's electorate.

Etawah has historically remained politically diverse, with no single party establishing a dominant stronghold. The Congress clinched victory in this constituency four times, the most recent being in 1984. The Samajwadi Party secured victories on four occasions, in 1996, 1999, 2004, and 2009. The BJP made its mark by winning in 1998 with Sukhda Mishra, and subsequently in 2014 and 2019.

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In the upcoming elections, the BSP has nominated former RLD MP from Hathras, Sarika Singh, as its candidate. She faces competition from the incumbent BJP MP and former Union minister, Ram Shankar Katheria, as well as the SP's Jitendra Dohrey.

Jitendra Dohrey, the SP candidate, hails from a Dalit background and previously served as the BSP district president. With 27% Dalit voters in the constituency, Dohrey's candidacy holds significant sway. Additionally, the Dohrey family commands a substantial following among Dalit voters, with Jitendra's sister, Pavitra Dohrey, serving as the chairperson of the Maherva panchayat, overseeing 91 gram panchayats.

Sarika Singh, the BSP's nominee, belongs to an OBC family with a strong political lineage. The BSP's decision to field Sarika Singh underscores its strategy to appeal to both Dalit and OBC voters on a reserved seat, as observed by political commentator Subhash Tripathi.

As election day approaches, Etawah braces itself for a momentous reckoning—a clash of ideas and ideologies that will shape its destiny for years to come. In this crucible of democracy, where rhetoric meets reality, the ultimate victor remains uncertain, underscoring the inherent unpredictability of democratic politics.