Mayawati With Pawan: Blow To Jagan, Boon To Babu

[vatsayana]

https://www.gulte.com/news/74557/Mayawati-With-Pawan-Blow-To-Jagan-Boon-To-Babu

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by its chief Mayawati has entered into an alliance with Jana Sena Party (JSP) to contest the Assembly and general elections in Andhra Pradesh together. In this regard, Mayawati has agreed to campaign for Jana Sena in the state. As the BSP-JSP alliance was sealed, many opined that this could split the Dalit and Kapu votes in the Godavari districts. Especially, with a focus on Dalit votes in the state.

Mayawati has been roped in for Jana Sena's election campaigns in some key constituencies. In 2014, BSP held a vote share of 1% in united Andhra Pradesh. While the Dalits hold a minute share in every assembly constituency, BSP has managed to focus on garnering these votes despite being dormant in Andhra Pradesh. Despite there being a danger of voters rejecting parties that do not have much presence in the state, BSP-JSP alliance is heavily banking on polarising dalit votes, which is a winning combination, rather than the two parties contesting individually.

Meanwhile, the presence of Dalits is highest in the Godavari districts which will generally decide the fate of any election in the state. However, the flipside of Mayawati's campaign for Jana Sena in the state will actually prove to be a curse for YSR Congress' votebank. The YSRCP which plans to split TDP's vote share, will actually be at a disadvantage of losing out on Dalit votes, which could eventually benefit the TDP. 

Additionally, Mayawati is also seen as a friend of TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and is part of Mahaghatbandhan led by the AP Chief Minister by bringing together all anti-BJP forces together. Therefore, more than benefiting that Jana Sena and adding voters to its share in AP, Mayawati's AP campaign will actually prove to be a blessing for the TDP.