Mainpuri Seat – ‘Good To See SP-BSP tieup’
Sanjay, 24, member of Kanjar community in Mainpuri, has not been in the best of terms with the law and the locals, as his community carries the stigma of being a criminal tribe. Traditionally BSP supporters, Sanjay is happy that Mayawati has joined forces with Mulayam Singh in this Yadav stronghold.
Mainpuri has been a Yadav bastion for as long as elections were held here. The Yadav community rules the roost in this region. From top to bottom in administration and also among (Samajwadi) Party office bearers, their writ runs. Whether you need a job, or a government scheme favour, or even lodge a police complaint in the local Thana (station), one has to plead before their leaders.
Our community also votes for Neta ji (Mulayam Singh Yadav). We fully support Samajwadi Party. Yes there are some in our family, who support Behanji (Mayawati) because she has worked to get us some self-respect in society. During her rule in Uttar Pradesh – between 2007 and 2012 – many of us got pucca houses, some were able to buy and set up shops in the market with their savings. Otherwise, most caste Hindus do not have business dealings with us. I don’t know why, nor do I any longer bother. We are happy with our lives.
WATCH: SP-BSP Supporters Speak Up In Mainpuri Rally
I studied till Class VII then dropped out we needed more hands to work and livelihood. I am happy, we have our own house, and we get odd jobs to see us through. But during the time of notebandi (demonetization), we had to keep the hearth burning on borrowed ration. Those two-three months were horrible. There was no work for us. Even when we got work the wages were not paid. Everybody was cursing (Narendra) Modi here. Things are better now.
It has been a great relief that Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav have joined hands. Many Yadav leaders suspect us to be BSP supporters and refuse to help us. With the gathbandhan (SP-BSP alliance), there is no reason for (Samajwadi) Party leaders to look at us with suspicion. We just hope this alliance survive. Rest, time will tell.
