Nishad Party Kicks Off UP Election Campaign with Major Gorakhpur Rally
Lucknow: The Nishad Party is set to formally launch its campaign for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, scheduled for early next year, with a major public meeting in Gorakhpur on March 23. This event marks the beginning of a strategic electoral push across the state, with subsequent rallies planned in key districts including Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Meerut.
Strategic Focus on Purvanchal and Western UP
According to party spokesperson Rajeev Yadav, the campaign will place special emphasis on Purvanchal, which serves as the party's traditional stronghold. Efforts are being intensified to consolidate and expand the support base in this region. Simultaneously, by organizing a rally in Meerut, the party aims to bolster its presence in Western Uttar Pradesh and forge new social alliances.
"Special focus is on Purvanchal, which is the party's stronghold and where efforts to further consolidate its support base are being made. By organising a rally in Meerut, the party aims to strengthen its presence in Western UP and build new social equations," Yadav stated.
Showcasing Organizational Strength and Key Demands
These public meetings are designed not only to demonstrate the party's organizational capabilities but also to highlight critical social and political issues central to its agenda. The primary demand is for reservations under the Scheduled Caste category for all sub-castes of the Nishad community in Uttar Pradesh.
During the rallies, the party will actively seek public endorsement for its key demands, which include:
- Restoration of rights over mining, sand, and traditional river ghats for the fishing community.
- Restoration of rights for denotified tribes.
Historical Context and Government Actions
Yadav provided historical context, noting that according to central government directives, several sub-castes of the fishing community, who were adversely affected by the Criminal Tribes Act, were entitled to benefits under the denotified and nomadic tribes category. However, in 2013, the Samajwadi Party government withdrew these benefits, a move that the Nishad Party continues to challenge.
The upcoming campaign is poised to address these grievances directly, aiming to mobilize support around these long-standing issues as the party positions itself for the electoral battle ahead.
