Something similar — albeit rooted in an entirely different political and social ethos — has happened in UP. Much has been written and spoken about the extraordinary victory of the Bahujan Samaj Party, which successfully managed to build a superstructure of a variety of castes on a solid base of dalit support. But the victory of the ‘rainbow coalition’ based on a re-jigged dalit-brahmin axis is not just a tribute to organisation and strategy. The verdict also reflects the average UP-wallah’s fatigue with the politics of fragmentation and a yearning for social harmony. And while the BSP tapped into this yearning this time, the Congress party remains the natural flag-bearer of ‘inclusive’ politics.

This was brought home to us on a visit to a village — chosen at random — in the boondocks of Barabanki district just a day after Mayawati’s spectacular victory. Even though the Congress party has been reduced to a shadow of its once mighty self in UP, it seems to have retained a large measure of goodwill — especially among its erstwhile supporters who have now turned to the BSP. A couple of brahmins were clear that if the experiment of backing Mayawati failed, they would vote the Congress next time. More significant were the voices of the dalits. A young Jatav (who has opted for the Gautam surname in this part of UP) explained that the dalits voted for the BSP because it was “our party”. Elaborating, he said: “BJP panditwad hain, Mulayam yadavwad, Beni kurmiwad aur Mayawati harijanwad. Isiliye hum Mayawati ke saath hain.” And what about the Congress? His instant reply, to the approving nods of his kinsmen, was: “Congress koyi wad nahin. Congress sabke liye hain.” And yes, added another in the group, Congress could be an option if Mayawati failed. As did Mohammad Yunus, a wizened farm hand, who said: “Pehle to Congress ke the — agar Congress wapas aati, to wahi jayenge.”

... contd.