SP’s Dalit Pitch Sharpens Ahead of 2027 as Daddu Prasad Joins Ranks

The Samajwadi Party’s bid to broaden its social coalition under the “Pichda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak (PDA)” banner gained significant traction Tuesday with the induction of Daddu Prasad, a founding member of the Bahujan Samaj Party and former minister. His joining is being seen as both a symbolic and strategic moment in the SP’s ongoing effort to attract Dalit voters, a constituency long dominated by the BSP.

This political shift comes at a time when the SP is actively engaging with the Dalit community through week-long celebrations titled Swabhiman Samman Samaroh, commemorating Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. Organized by the party’s Samajwadi Baba Saheb Ambedkar Vahini and its Scheduled Caste (SC) wing, the events aim to strengthen the party’s grassroots connect with Dalits by honoring local Ambedkarite figures and engaging in discussions on social justice, constitutional values, and the PDA framework.

“These aren’t just symbolic programs,” said Mithai Lal Bharti, national president of the Vahini. “We are creating awareness about the Constitution, the threats it faces, and the role of backward classes, Dalits, and minorities in protecting it.”

Uttar Pradesh, where Dalits constitute around 21% of the population, has long been a stronghold for the BSP, especially among the Jatav community, which makes up more than half of the Dalit population. Daddu Prasad, who belongs to the leather-worker community, brings with him legacy, ideology, and experience that SP leaders believe could help breach BSP’s core vote bank.

“Daddu Prasad never abandoned the Ambedkarite cause,” said a senior SP leader. “He represents a principled strain of leadership. His induction complements our existing base — leaders like Awadhesh Prasad from the Pasi community have already helped us strengthen our position among Dalits.”

Party strategists see the move as part of a broader realignment aimed at ending the old political dichotomy between Yadavs and Dalits — once seen as competing social groups — and building a new coalition rooted in common aspirations for dignity, representation, and economic opportunity.

The timing is also politically relevant. After performing strongly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with 37 seats, the SP is looking to replicate that success in the 2027 Assembly polls. Its alliance with the Congress under the INDIA bloc, however, has shown signs of strain. A section of SP leaders believes that Congress has been claiming disproportionate credit for the alliance’s success by projecting itself as the sole magnet for Dalit voters, using the “threat to the Constitution” narrative.

“The Congress is positioning itself to demand more seats in the Assembly polls, arguing it brought in the Dalit vote. This campaign by SP helps reinforce its own influence over the same voter base,” an SP functionary noted.

Daddu Prasad echoed the party’s positioning, stating that Akhilesh Yadav’s efforts to include Ambedkarites within the party were “genuine” and offered a “sense of brotherhood.” He added, “The Bahujan motto of dukhiya-dukhiya bhai bhai is alive in the SP today. More Ambedkarites will find space here.”

He also criticized the BJP for “derailing the social movement” initiated by Kanshi Ram. “Roti, kapda, makaan are essential, but our people seek dignity and recognition too. The BJP doesn’t understand this.”

His induction adds to a growing list of BSP leaders — including Lalji Verma, Indrajeet Saroj, and Ram Achar Rajbhar — who have crossed over to the SP in recent years, signaling a gradual shift in political allegiance among sections of the Dalit leadership.

In a parallel move aimed at consolidating Dalit support, the SP on Tuesday also launched a counter-offensive against protests led by Kshatriya groups targeting Dalit MP Ramji Lal Suman for his alleged comments on Rajput king Rana Sanga. While the party has formally distanced itself from the remarks, it is simultaneously highlighting what it sees as caste-based intimidation of a Dalit leader, accusing the Yogi Adityanath government of selective silence and inaction.

“This isn’t just about one MP,” said an SP spokesperson. “This is about sending a message to Dalits — that we will stand by them, especially when they are under attack.”

As political temperatures begin to rise ahead of the 2027 elections, the SP’s strategic messaging — blending Ambedkarite symbolism with concrete political moves — indicates a clear shift in its social engineering formula. With the inclusion of influential Dalit voices and a renewed emphasis on grassroots mobilisation, the party appears to be positioning itself as the next big tent for those historically aligned with the BSP’s ideology but seeking a new political home.