Faced with Rahul Gandhis unconventional padyatra politics,the BSP has decided on a two-pronged approach. Politically,the ruling party has started working on a plan to prevent erosion of its core base of Dalit vote. On the administrative front,the government will not interfere with the padyatra,unless it becomes a law and order problem,in order to avoid giving the Congress an advantage and sympathy of the masses. Rahuls padyatra is preparatory to the Congresss Kisan Mahapanchayat,which is scheduled for July 9 at Aligarhs Numaish Ground. Since he is not accompanied by party leaders,flag-waving workers,and is not holding any demonstration or protest,the government believes invoking the charge of violation of prohibitory order would not be the right thing. The local administration has,therefore,been told to keep a watch on the padyatra and take action as warranted by the circumstances. The part of western UP through which Rahul is travelling is dominated by land-owning Jats,who have been worst hit by land acquisition for various projects. The BSP does not have much following in the community. Therefore,Mayawati is not much worried about them. The BSPs concern is the possible influence of the padyatra on Dalits. Although traditionally,Jats and Dalits have had uneasy social relations but,like others,the Dalits too have been hit by land acquisition. A BSP leader said they are planning to stop participation of their core voters in the Kisan Mahapanchayat. A meeting of the Aligarh district functionaries of the party has been called on July 8 in the city for this purpose. Right from the polling booth level to assembly constituency level,all party functionaries will be activated to persuade Dalits against attending the mahapanchayat. The partys social engineering theory,which enables the BSP to bag other castes votes,works only when the BSP gets full support of Dalit voters. Therefore,it is necessary to stop any tilt of the Dalit voters towards the Congress, explained the leader. The government is also planning to put up an advertise on July 9 the day of the mahapanchayat on newspapers,to highlight the decisions it has taken for the benefit of the farmers,like the new resettlement and rehabilitation policy. The advertisements will highlight the failure of the Congress in improving the farmers conditions despite remaining in power for about four decades in the state, an official said. After the padyatra,the BSP will undertake an exercise to assess the impact of the padyatra. Rahuls concern an eyewash: BSP LUCKNOW: In apparent retaliation of the padyatra by Rahul Gandhi,the BSP on Wednesday told the Congress general secretary that if he was so concerned for the farmers then he should exert pressure on the UPA government for roll back of the recent hike in prices of diesel and fertilizers. A BSP spokesman,dubbing Rahuls concern for the farmers a hoax,alleged that the Congress leader is indulging in antics with an eye on UP Assembly elections in 2012. Instead of staging political drama in UP among the farmers,Rahul should exert pressure on the Congress-led UPA government for reduction in the prices of diesel and fertilisers, the spokesman added. The BSP spokesman charged that Congress leader is indulging in political drama only to divert the attention of the people from the UPA government which is facing all round flak for a series of scams and the recent hike in prices of petroleum products.ENS
