Is the Mulayam-Beni spat creating a divide among OBCs in Uttar Pradesh? It would seem so.
The war of words, allegations and counter-allegations between the two leaders is setting off a Yadav-Kurmi war in the state. While Yadavs strongly resent the way Beni Prasad Varma accused Mulayam Singh Yadav of having terrorist links and are in no mood to relent, the Kurmi community is throwing its weight behind Beni Prasad Varma. Yadavs and Kurmis in UP have never been comfortable with each other, and many Kurmis traditionally support the BJP as they felt “alienated” in the Samajwadi Party where Yadavs dominate.