But Dalits have 65 sub-castes among them – Jatavs (the caste Mayawati belongs to) make up 54.2%, followed by Pasis (15.9%) and Valmikis (1.3%). As the Jatavs moved closer to the BSP, the Pasis and Valmikis cosied up to the BJP. “The Valmikis supported the BSP in successive elections but frustrated by neglect, they moved to the BJP in 2014. Their slum areas here have shrunk.It’s a social struggle and their political empowerment remain a dream,” says Dalit activist Anup Shramik. Mayawati has often called the Bhim Army, which has considerable support in western UP, a B-team of the BJP.

Source: Hindustan Times April 20, 2019 00:33 UTC