Caste dynamics influence BJP and Congress candidate lists in election strategies

In the upcoming elections, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have focused on the representation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a significant factor in Indian politics. Recent analysis reveals that the BJP has slightly more OBC candidates compared to the Congress.

BJP and Congress OBC representation

As per data, 27% of the BJP's 432 declared candidates are from the OBC category, while the Congress has 24.8% of its 294 candidates from the OBC background. However, it's noteworthy that the BJP also grants a larger proportion of tickets to non-OBC and non-SC/ST candidates, with 43% compared to Congress's 36%.

Despite the apparent difference in OBC representation, the Congress party's strategy includes alliances with regional parties like the RJD in Bihar and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, both of which have a strong OBC base. This strategic alliance distribution plays a significant role in the overall representation of OBC candidates.

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The BJP has emphasized its commitment to OBC representation, highlighting that OBCs constitute a substantial portion of the population and deserve political representation. The party's OBC cell head underscored Prime Minister Modi's efforts to uplift marginalized communities. Meanwhile, Congress, under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, has advocated for a caste census, aligning with the demands of the INDIA bloc, which seeks proportional rights based on population numbers.

Focus on minority representation

While the discussion primarily revolves around OBC representation, it's also essential to note the attention given to minority communities. The Congress has fielded more candidates from minority communities (Muslims, Parsis, Christians, and Sikhs) compared to the BJP. However, the number of candidates from minority groups is still relatively low overall.

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Political scientists have weighed in on the parties' strategies. While some express disappointment in the Congress's relatively fewer OBC candidates, others cite financial constraints as a limiting factor. The Congress's focus on social justice issues, including promises like a caste census and reservation ceiling removal, underscores its commitment to marginalized communities. However, challenges in election funding pose hurdles in fielding more candidates from these groups.

Overall, while both parties navigate caste dynamics in candidate selection, the demand for a caste census and the significance of OBC representation remain central themes in the ongoing political discourse.