GHAZIPUR: Medieval king Suheldev's followers have found new respectability. They are now called
Rajbhars, a touch of royalty with “raj“ added to their community name. The Nonias are
Chauhans. Potters are no longer Kohars, but Prajapatis.
The BJP's social engineering that focuses on nonYadav OBCs has changed the way OBCs that missed the Mandal mileage, are being addressed and looked at.
Sensing electoral bene fits from empowering the politically isolated non-Yadav OBCs, parties wooed them hard. Several candidates are from these castes and many could win. People, even from the dominant upper castes, have changed their attitude towards them. The BJP has fielded around 150 OBCs.
Among the non-Yadav OBCs prominent are Lodhs,
Kurmis,
Kushwahas, Rajbhars, Chauhans and kevats. The
Lodhs are the only ones who've experienced some uplift after their caste leader Kalyan Singh became CM.
As for the others, they got no benefits well after the Mandal Commission recom mendations were implemented. Senior Kurmi politician Keshav Prasad Maurya was with BSP and his caste voted for Mayawati's party.
This is the first time that the non-Yadav OBCs have emerged a decisive vote bank as they have shown the resolve to demand their share of the development pie and eagerness to end the “disproportionate empha sis“ on Yadavs.
Among the prominent BJP candidates in the fray is party
OBC Morcha chief Dara Singh Chauhan, a Nonia, against Abbas, son of Mukhtar Ansari at Ghosi.Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party president Om Prakash Rajbhar, contesting as a BJP alliance candidate from Jahoorabad, appears to have polarised the Rajbhar community . BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya is seen as the architect of the KoriKurmi tilt towards the BJP.
Expand
A cycle repair mechanic at Jahoorabad, Ramnath Rajbhar, pledges support to Suheldev Party thanks to the Centre's “Ujjawala scheme“.