Home > Topics > BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) english translation - majority people's party is one of the five prominent national political parties of India. Founded in 1984 by Kanshi Ram, a member of the Dalit community, the party was formed mainly to represent Bahujans referring to people from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes (OBC) as well as minorities. The party has a socialist ideology, which is 'Social Transformation and Economic Emancipation' of the 'Bahujan Samaj' or the backward communities. The Party's political symbol is an elephant and the party was the third most voted for party in the 2014 General Elections. Bahujan Samaj Party has its main base in Uttar Pradesh where the BSP president Mayawati has served as a Chief Minister (2007-2012) before losing to their rivals Samajwadi Party in 2012.Kanshi Ram, the founder of BSP was deeply inspired by the teachings of Babasaheb Ambedkar who is known as the architect of the Indian constitution and on the basis of his teachings, Kanshi Ram founded Bahujan Samaj Party on April 14, 1984. The party claims to be inspired by the philosophies of B. R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Kanshi Ram remained the president of BSP until 2001 however, due to his deteriorating health in the 1990s, the party's leadership shifted to the hands of Mayawati, a former school teacher. In 1993, Mayawati made a coalition with Samajwadi Party in the assembly elections and helped Mulayam Singh Yadav in becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. However on 2nd June 1995, Mayawati withdrew her support from the government after accusing Mulayam Singh Yadav for sending goons at her place, keeping her party legislators hostage at the Lucknow guest house as well as trying to break her party. She also accused Mulayam Singh Yadav that he shouted casteist abuse at her. This was a major incident in Uttar Pradesh politics and since then the BSP and Samajwadi Party have been public rivals. After withdrawing support from Samajwadi Party, Mayawati sought her support to Bharatiya Janata Party and became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on 3rd June 1995. In October 1995, the BJP withdrew support to her and fresh elections were called after President's rule. In 2007, BSP led by Mayawati won the elections with an absolute majority and Mayawati became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for full five years. The party's political symbol as approved by the Election Commission of India is an elephant which is facing left. The party uses the same symbol in all the states except Assam and Sikkim where the party has been asked to choose a different symbol. As of August 2016, the party is yet to choose a symbol for these two states. The reason for BSP to choose an elephant as their symbol is that an elephant symbolizes strength and will power. It is a large animal but usually is very peaceful. The inherent meaning of this is attached to the 'Bahujan Samaj' or the lower sections and the down-trodden sections of the society. The BSP has always stood for the lower and minority sections of the society. The BSP has always raised its strong voice against the 'Manuwadi' social system practiced by the Hindu upper caste especially the Brahmins. The symbol of BSP symbolizes its struggle against the upper caste as well as the oppression faced by them and they symbolize this with the use of the elephant which is tough, fearless, peaceful as well as full of strength.Despite Mayawati leading the party, Kanshi Ram remained the partys president until 2001. A diabetic with a host of other serious ailments, he wasn't able to lead an active political life . On December 15, 2001, Kanshi Ram in a rally in Lucknow declared Mayawati the then Vice-President of the party as his political successor. Kanshi Ram died on October 2006 due to a severe heart attack. On 9th August, Mayawati declared that she has chosen her successor from the Dalit community who is 18-20 years junior to her and she has pinned down the name in a sealed packet in a safe custody. The name of the successor will be declared after her death. The state assembly elections which occurred in May 2007 saw BSP emerge as the single majority party. The BSP got 206 seats and was the first party since 1991 to do so. The BSP President Mayawati was elected as the Chief Minister and she began her fourth term as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. She took over the office on 13th May 2007. The most unique and powerful achievement by BSP in the 2007 elections was to take away the party's ability to take away a majority of the upper caste votes which usually belonged to the BJP. However the party was able to manage only 80 seats in 2012 compared to 206 in 2007 assembly elections. BSP then replaced Swami Prasad Maurya by Ram Achal Rajbhar as the President of the UP unit. The BSP government from 2007 to 2012 had implemented several policies and welfare schemes and all the developmental policies of BSP follow in their aim "Sarvajan Hitay- Sarvajan Sukhay"which means the peace and prosperity of all the members of the society. Some of the welfare schemes and policies implemented by BSP include schemes initiated in UP to help poor families like 'Uttar Pradesh Mukhyamantri Mahamaya Garib Arthik Madad Yojana', 'Savitribai Phule Shikhsha Madad Yojana', 'Dr Ambedkar Gram Sabha Samagra Vikas Yojana', etc. These schemes have facilitated support for the families below poverty line by means of providing access to free education, affordable housing and other assistance from BSP. Notable amendments were made in the "Zamindari Kanoon" or the rules of the patriarchal landed property of the Zamindars. The BSP government is also praised for maintenance of law and order in Uttar Pradesh and for their significant contributions in the field of infrastructure and medical facilities in the rural and urban areas.

UP: Woman Accuses Jailed BSP MP Atul Rai of Threatening Her With 'Fate Like Unnao Girl'
India.com News Desk | September 12, 2019 11:15 PM IST
New Delhi: A woman from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh has alleged that a leader of former Chief Minister May...
UP: Woman Accuses Jailed BSP MP Atul Rai of Threatening Her With 'Fate Like Unnao Girl'
indiacom
2019-09-12T12:15:33+00:00
2019-09-12T12:15:33+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Haryana Assembly Elections: BSP Will Contest Alone on All 90 Seats, Says Satish Misra
India.com News Desk | September 9, 2019 8:00 PM IST
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Satish Misra on Monday announced that Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BS...
Haryana Assembly Elections: BSP Will Contest Alone on All 90 Seats, Says Satish Misra
indiacom
2019-09-09T09:00:12+00:00
2019-09-09T09:00:12+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Sonbhadra Massacre: 'I'll be Back', Priyanka Gandhi After Meeting Firing Victims' Kin
India.com News Desk | July 20, 2019 11:20 AM IST
Sat, 20 Jul 2019 03:27:26 pmPriyanka Gandhi Vadra will be visiting Kashi Vishwanath temple and Kaal ...
Sonbhadra Massacre: 'I'll be Back', Priyanka Gandhi After Meeting Firing Victims' Kin
indiacom
2019-07-20T00:20:46+00:00
2019-07-20T04:28:02+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
'Banayenge, Zaroorat Padegi Jab Unhe,' BSP MLA Hopeful of Ministerial Berth in Kamal Nath Govt
India.com News Desk | July 13, 2019 11:24 AM IST
New Delhi: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator from Damoh, Ramabai Ahirwar, expressed hope of g...
'Banayenge, Zaroorat Padegi Jab Unhe,' BSP MLA Hopeful of Ministerial Berth in Kamal Nath Govt
indiacom
2019-07-13T00:24:21+00:00
2019-07-13T00:35:26+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Yogi Government's Decision to Include 17 MBCs in SC List 'Unconstitutional': Centre
India.com News Desk | July 2, 2019 4:31 PM IST
New Delhi: The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government received a major jolt on Tuesday after t...
Yogi Government's Decision to Include 17 MBCs in SC List 'Unconstitutional': Centre
indiacom
2019-07-02T05:31:27+00:00
2019-07-02T05:31:27+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Sometimes You Don't Succeed in Trials But Get to Know About Weaknesses: Akhilesh Yadav's Stance on SP-BSP Failed Ties
India.com News Desk | June 5, 2019 2:49 PM IST
Lucknow: A day after Mayawati declared that Bahujan Samaj Party will go solo in Uttar Pradesh assemb...
Sometimes You Don't Succeed in Trials But Get to Know About Weaknesses: Akhilesh Yadav's Stance on SP-BSP Fai
indiacom
2019-06-05T03:49:41+00:00
2019-06-05T03:49:41+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
If Coalition is Broken, Then Will Reflect Deeply on it: Akhilesh Yadav; Declares Will Fight Bypolls Alone Like Mayawati
India.com News Desk | June 4, 2019 1:00 PM IST
Lucknow: After Bahujan Samaj party Chief Mayawati announced that she would go solo in the Uttar Prad...
If Coalition is Broken, Then Will Reflect Deeply on it: Akhilesh Yadav; Declares Will Fight Bypolls Alone Lik
indiacom
2019-06-04T02:00:09+00:00
2019-06-04T02:00:09+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
SP, BSP Will Fight For Social Justice Together, Says Akhilesh Hours After Mayawati Hints at Severing Ties
PTI Feeds | June 4, 2019 7:41 AM IST
New Delhi: The Samajwadi Party will fight for social justice together with the Bahujan Samaj Party, ...
SP, BSP Will Fight For Social Justice Together, Says Akhilesh Hours After Mayawati Hints at Severing Ties
indiacom
2019-06-03T20:41:19+00:00
2019-06-03T20:46:16+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Upset Over BSP's Performance in Lok Sabha Election, Mayawati Sacks Party in-charges of Six States
India.com News Desk | June 2, 2019 6:43 PM IST
New Delhi: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati took some tough decisions to overhaul the pa...
Upset Over BSP's Performance in Lok Sabha Election, Mayawati Sacks Party in-charges of Six States
indiacom
2019-06-02T07:43:06+00:00
2019-06-02T07:43:06+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Mulayam Wants Seniors to Return After Poll Debacle, Shivpal Yadav Can Make Comeback
IANS | June 2, 2019 3:43 PM IST
Lucknow: After being sidelined for almost two-and-a-half years, Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulay...
Mulayam Wants Seniors to Return After Poll Debacle, Shivpal Yadav Can Make Comeback
indiacom
2019-06-02T04:43:22+00:00
2019-06-02T04:43:22+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Lok Sabha Election Results 2019 For Uttar Pradesh: Full List of Winning Candidates
India.com News Desk | May 23, 2019 9:32 AM IST
Lucknow: The results of the 80 Lok Sabha seats of Uttar Pradesh have been declared, and the Bharatiy...
Lok Sabha Election Results 2019 For Uttar Pradesh: Full List of Winning Candidates
indiacom
2019-05-22T22:32:14+00:00
2019-05-23T10:52:44+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Rape-accused BSP Candidate Goes Missing, Party Campaigns For Him
IANS | May 15, 2019 9:33 PM IST
Mau: As the heat of the Lok Sabha elections reaches its pinnacle, a BSP candidate has gone missing. ...
Rape-accused BSP Candidate Goes Missing, Party Campaigns For Him
indiacom
2019-05-15T10:33:13+00:00
2019-05-15T10:33:13+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Alwar Gangrape Case: Mayawati Demands Death Penalty For Accused, Says SC Should Take Action Against Gehlot Government
India.com News Desk | May 11, 2019 11:00 AM IST
New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati on Tuesday attacked Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan g...
Alwar Gangrape Case: Mayawati Demands Death Penalty For Accused, Says SC Should Take Action Against Gehlot Go
indiacom
2019-05-11T00:00:50+00:00
2019-05-11T00:00:50+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Mayawati Reveals Her PM Ambition, Says Would Contest From Ambedkar Nagar
IANS | May 6, 2019 4:45 PM IST
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati has indicated that if she gets a chance to become the P...
Mayawati Reveals Her PM Ambition, Says Would Contest From Ambedkar Nagar
indiacom
2019-05-06T05:45:44+00:00
2019-05-06T05:45:44+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Vote For SP-BSP Candidates to Undo Wrongs of Cong, BJP Govts: Mayawati
PTI | May 3, 2019 11:37 PM IST
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Friday appealed to the people of Uttar Pradesh to elect SP-B...
Vote For SP-BSP Candidates to Undo Wrongs of Cong, BJP Govts: Mayawati
indiacom
2019-05-03T12:37:13+00:00
2019-05-03T12:37:13+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
SP-BSP Alliance's Controller in PM Modi's Hands, Rahul Gandhi Jabs Akhilesh Yadav-Mayawati Tie-up
India.com News Desk | May 1, 2019 5:14 PM IST
Barabanki: Congress president Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party (S...
SP-BSP Alliance's Controller in PM Modi's Hands, Rahul Gandhi Jabs Akhilesh Yadav-Mayawati Tie-up
indiacom
2019-05-01T06:14:54+00:00
2019-05-01T06:14:54+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Litmus Test For BJP in Phase 2 as Alliance Turns it Into Triangular Battle in 8 UP Seats
India.com News Desk | April 17, 2019 10:51 PM IST
Lucknow: In the second phase of Lok Sabha election on Thursday, as many as 85 candidates would be tr...
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Litmus Test For BJP in Phase 2 as Alliance Turns it Into Triangular Battle in 8 UP
indiacom
2019-04-17T11:51:55+00:00
2019-04-17T11:51:55+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
11 Lok Sabha Seats, SP and BSP Failed to Win in Uttar Pradesh
PTI | April 15, 2019 2:27 PM IST
Lucknow: In the past two decades, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have failed to win 11 parl...
11 Lok Sabha Seats, SP and BSP Failed to Win in Uttar Pradesh
indiacom
2019-04-15T03:27:02+00:00
2019-04-15T03:27:02+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Bahujan Samaj Party Announces Candidates For 16 Seats in Uttar Pradesh
PTI | April 14, 2019 8:29 PM IST
The Bahujan Samaj Party on Sunday declared names of its 16 candidates for Lok Sabha elections in the...
Bahujan Samaj Party Announces Candidates For 16 Seats in Uttar Pradesh
indiacom
2019-04-14T09:29:53+00:00
2019-04-14T09:29:53+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com
Yogi Adityanath Says UP Grand Alliance Resulted From Frustration of Members
PTI | April 8, 2019 9:36 PM IST
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the opposition grand alliance is a resul...
Yogi Adityanath Says UP Grand Alliance Resulted From Frustration of Members
indiacom
2019-04-08T10:36:39+00:00
2019-04-08T10:36:39+00:00
BSP - Bahujan Samaj Party
India.com