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Revolt in Ambedkar Mahasabha over Dalit award to Adityanath

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8 years ago

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Revolt in Ambedkar Mahasabha over Dalit award to Adityanath

Amid reports of rising discontent among Dalits against BJP governments, the decision by Ambedkar Mahasabha chief to confer the ‘Dalit Mitra’ award to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has sparked off a revolt in the Dalit body.

Senior members of Ambedkar Mahasabha on Thursday, April 5, opposed the decision to confer the award on Adityanath, said media reports. The news comes on the heels of a Dalit MP Chhote Lal complaining to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the ill-treatment at the hands of Adityanath who, he alleged, scolded and threw him out when he went to the CM with his complaint.

On Wednesay, the president of the Dalit body Lalji Prasad Nirmal had announced that this year, the ‘Dalit Mitra’ award will be presented to Adityanath on April 14 when the nation celebrates Dr BR Ambedkar’s 127th birth anniversary.

Virtual revolting against the move, the Mahasabha’s two founding members – Harish Chandra and SR Darapuri – called for an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to take disciplinary action against Nirmal, saying he had overstepped his brief by announcing an award for a CM during whose government several cases of Dalit atrocities were reported, said a Times of India (TOI) report.

“There is immense anger among Dalits because of atrocities inflicted on them during Yogi’s rule. Constituting an award and giving it to Yogi will only rub salt into their wound,” Darapuri, a retired IPS, told TOI.

He said there is anger among Dalits against whom cases have been lodged and even NSA has been slapped. Bhim Sena chief Chandrashekhar was arrested and booked under the National Security Act after Saharanpur caste violence in May 2017, he added.

Retired IAS officer, Harish Chandra said the decision to constitute such an award was “arbitrary”, since it was not discussed with the founding members. “The Mahasabha was formed to spread the ideas and principles of BR Ambedkar, and not to serve personal interests of anyone,” said Chandra, in an apparent jibe at Nirmal, said the TOI report.

“Our members have been seeking records from the Mahasabha, but its present administration hasn’t yet responded,” he said. Chandra said there were more than 100 members, many from government service, when the Ambedkar Mahasabha was formed in 1990. Both Chandra and Darapuri are lifetime members.

Nirmal, however, said there was nothing wrong in conferring ‘Dalit Mitra’ award on Yogi. “CM Yogi is a friend of all citizens of the state. He is therefore a friend of Dalits also,” said Nirmal, who retired from the UP secretariat before becoming the Mahasabha president in 2013. He also dismissed allegations of having “personal interests”.

“Rumours are being spread that I am seeking a berth in the UP Legislative Council. I am a committed member of the Mahasabha which runs on donations and with the blessings of Dalits,” the TOI quoted him as saying.

The development comes at a time when there are reports of rising incidents of atrocities against Dalits. A report in IndiaSpend said the rate of crime against Dalits increased more than eight times (746%) over the decade to 2016. There were 2.4 crimes per 100,000 dalits in 2006, rising to 20.3 in 2016, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of 2016 National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB) data. The rate of crime against adivasis or scheduled tribes grew by over 12 times (1,160%) – from 0.5 in 2006 to 6.3 in 2016. Dalits, or schedule castes, comprise 16.6% (201 million) of India’s population, up from 16.2% in 2001, according to Census 2011. Adivasis form 8.6% (104 million) of the country’s population, up from 8.2% over a decade, reports IndiaSpend

The BJP government at the Centre and other states have however claimed that it has brought many laws and policies that helped in uplifting the Dalits by promoting equality in the society.

A Supreme Court ruling on March 20 over changes in certain provisions of the SC/ST Act triggered violent protests by several Dalits groups across the nation leaving nine people dead.

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Mamata beater Suvendu Adhikari set to become next West Bengal CM

Suvendu Adhikari emerged as the BJP’s choice for West Bengal Chief Minister after the party’s legislature meeting in Kolkata following its historic Assembly election victory.

Published

12 hours ago

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May 8, 2026

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Suvendu-Adhikari

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to become the next Chief Minister of West Bengal after being elected leader of the BJP legislature party during a key meeting in Kolkata on Thursday.

The development comes days after the BJP secured a decisive victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress’ long rule in the state. Party leaders met in the presence of senior central leadership to finalise the chief ministerial face ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the legislature party meeting where Adhikari’s name was formally announced. Reports said the BJP leadership backed him after he emerged as the party’s strongest face in Bengal politics over the past few years.

Adhikari played a major role in the BJP’s campaign across the state and remained one of the party’s most aggressive leaders against the ruling Trinamool Congress. He also defeated former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur during the Assembly elections, strengthening his position within the party.

The BJP’s victory is being viewed as a major political shift in West Bengal, where the party is set to form its first government. Adhikari, once a senior Trinamool Congress leader, had joined the BJP before the 2021 Assembly elections and later became Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.

Following the announcement, celebrations were reported outside Adhikari’s residence in East Midnapore, with party workers distributing sweets and raising slogans in support of the BJP leader.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government is expected to take place in Kolkata on May 9, where Adhikari will officially assume charge as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

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Suvendu Adhikari emerges frontrunner for Bengal Chief Minister post

Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the leading candidate for the West Bengal Chief Minister post as BJP prepares to form its first government in the state. Reports suggest the new cabinet may also include two deputy chief ministers.

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17 hours ago

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May 8, 2026

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BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the leading contender for the post of Chief Minister in West Bengal as the party prepares to form its first government in the state following its Assembly election victory.

The BJP legislature party is scheduled to meet in Kolkata to elect its leader, a decision that is expected to formally determine the next Chief Minister. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Kolkata ahead of the meeting and is overseeing the selection process.

Sources cited in media reports suggest the new BJP-led government may also appoint two deputy chief ministers, a post that has remained vacant in West Bengal for nearly two decades. One of the deputy CM positions could reportedly go to a woman leader. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul is among the names being discussed for the role.

Another deputy chief minister could be chosen from north Bengal, with former Union minister Nisith Pramanik being seen as a possible contender, according to reports. There is also speculation that the BJP leadership may consider a representative from the tribal community for a senior cabinet role.

Adhikari, who played a key role in the BJP’s election campaign, defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur during the recently concluded Assembly elections. The BJP secured a two-thirds majority in the 294-member Assembly, paving the way for its first government in West Bengal.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new government is expected to take place on May 9 in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are expected to attend the event.

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West Bengal BJP government set for oath ceremony as suspense over new CM continues

The BJP is preparing to form its first government in West Bengal after securing a massive Assembly election victory, with the new Chief Minister expected to be chosen during a legislature party meeting in Kolkata.

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22 hours ago

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May 8, 2026

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The Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in West Bengal after its decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government is scheduled for May 9 in Kolkata, while suspense continues over the party’s Chief Ministerial choice.

According to reports, the BJP legislature party is expected to meet on Friday in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to elect its leader formally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are likely to attend the oath-taking ceremony.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post following the BJP’s strong performance in the elections. Other names reportedly under consideration include Samik Bhattacharya, Sukanta Majumdar and Swapan Dasgupta.

The political developments come a day after Governor RN Ravi dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and state cabinet following the completion of the Assembly election process. The dissolution order was issued under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution after outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declined to submit her resignation despite the Trinamool Congress losing power.

The BJP secured a clear majority in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state. The election outcome marks a major political shift in West Bengal, where the BJP is set to form a government for the first time.

Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are underway at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, where senior BJP leaders and party supporters are expected to gather for the event.

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