Gadchiroli, Vidarbha:
The cotton belt of Vidarbha in Maharashtra, which is traditionally a Congress bastion, has emerged as the Bahujan Samaj Party's core strength over the years.
In 2004, the party captured seven per cent of the vote, a base that has expanded even more with the help of the BAMCEF, an employees union founded by BSP founder Kanshi Ram.
Adivasi chief Satyavan Baba Atram from the Aheri dynasty is the BSP candidate from Gadchiroli. The local leader is calling for separate statehood for Vidarbha, a popular sentiment the party has taken up.
"We have been fighting for a separate Vidarbha state. Now that we are getting support from a big party, we have decided to join them," said Satyavan.
The cotton belt has a 20 per cent Dalit population with a high literacy rate.
As in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati is taking no chances. The successful social engineering which worked to the BSP's advantage in UP is also evident in Vidarbha.
Of the eleven seats, only three have been given to Dalits. The rest to other castes, including Marathas and Brahmins.
BMCEF activist Ganesh Devnath Nagrale joined the BAMCEF as a volunteer at 13. He is disappointed that Dalits didn't get more seats, but accepts it's more important for the party to come to power.
"Mayawati wants to become prime minister. So far no Dalit has been in that post. Now if there is a chance, I am happy and no matter who gets a ticket I will work for him," said Ganesh.
In 2004, the party captured seven per cent of the vote, a base that has expanded even more with the help of the BAMCEF, an employees union founded by BSP founder Kanshi Ram.
Adivasi chief Satyavan Baba Atram from the Aheri dynasty is the BSP candidate from Gadchiroli. The local leader is calling for separate statehood for Vidarbha, a popular sentiment the party has taken up.
"We have been fighting for a separate Vidarbha state. Now that we are getting support from a big party, we have decided to join them," said Satyavan.
The cotton belt has a 20 per cent Dalit population with a high literacy rate.
As in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati is taking no chances. The successful social engineering which worked to the BSP's advantage in UP is also evident in Vidarbha.
Of the eleven seats, only three have been given to Dalits. The rest to other castes, including Marathas and Brahmins.
BMCEF activist Ganesh Devnath Nagrale joined the BAMCEF as a volunteer at 13. He is disappointed that Dalits didn't get more seats, but accepts it's more important for the party to come to power.
"Mayawati wants to become prime minister. So far no Dalit has been in that post. Now if there is a chance, I am happy and no matter who gets a ticket I will work for him," said Ganesh.
