UP chief minister Mayawati is now eyeing the Jat community as a votebank to expand and consolidate her base in western UP.
The chief minister was the first political leader to extend full support to the ongoing Jat agitation for reservation in central services. The state government has not even lifted a finger to free the railway tracks, occupied by protesting Jats in Amroha since March 5, even though this sit-in demonstration had adversely affected the movement of more than 900 trains, besides causing innumerable inconvenience to passengers.
The support extended to the Jats who have been happily squatting on railway tracks by the Mayawati government has apparently emboldened the community that now threatens to intensify its agitation by cutting off supplies of essential commodities to Delhi.
The order by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Friday to clear the tracks has only speeded up negotiations but the state government has still not moved in to comply with the order. “We are supporting the Jats in their demand and they have not disturbed the law and order situation in the past fortnight. It is for the centre to take a decision on their demands since they are obstructing the railways which is a central property,” said a senior BSP minister.
When asked if the party was playing politics on the issue, the minister retorted, “Of course, we are in politics and will therefore indulge in politics too. However, we are not doing it at anybody’s cost. What has prevented other political parties from supporting the Jats?”
Ms Mayawati’s attempt to win over Jats is being seen in political circles as a smart move to counter the Rashtriya Lok Dal’s alliance with the Peace Party that could have upset political calculations in western UP.
Interestingly, the Jats as a consequence have already snubbed Choudhury Ajit Singh and his support for their agitation.
The Jat anger against the RLD could weaken the party’s base in the region.