BHOPAL: Both the BJP and Congress are likely to keep a close watch on voting trends in 35 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes in the state. As of now, BJP is stronger on seats reserved for SCs. Of the 35 seats reserved for SCs, 28 are in BJP’s kitty, while Congress has only four, just one more than BSP.But, things have changed a lot since 2013. Unrest among upper castes over state government siding with SC/ST employees over reservation in promotion after it was held unconstitutional by the M P high court and later Union government bringing in ordnance to neutralize the apex court order allegedly diluting Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act triggered strong reaction among upper castes against “privileges’ enjoyed by the reserved classes.SAPAKS, an outfit also sprung up from nowhere to cash in on this sentiment, but failed to make the kind of impact it seemed to be making initially after the election was announced.But, strong anti-Dalit sentiments among upper castes might have taken votes away from ruling BJP, feel a section of political analysts. “Upper castes voters in MP were supposed to be inclined to BJP and if they vote against them , it would definitely affect results on reserved seats. Seats reserved for SCs like Berasia or Alot or Khandwa have 70 to 80% general population and their votes decide results and not SC votes”, said a BJP leader on the condition of anonymity. Senior BJP leader Raghunandan Sharma has already gone on record stating that CM’s comment “Koi Ma Ka Lal Apka Arakshan Khatam Nahin Kar Sakta” while addressing a delegation of employees from the reserved classes would cost BJP 10 to 15 seats. It’s not only the upper caste votes which might have seen a shift, but Dalit votes too as four protestors were killed in Chambal region during a bandh called to protest Supreme Court verdict on SC/ST Act.“If there is strong anti-Dalit sentiments among upper castes, anti-upper caste sentiments among Dalits is no less strong. Since BSP has strong base in Chambal and Vindhya, where backlash of Supreme Court verdict on SC/ST Act has been felt most palpably, the dalit votes might shift to BSP from both the Congress and the BJP”, said a Congress leader from Chambal region. Veteran poll analyst Girijashankar, however, said that voters on reserved seats behave in the same way as other seats and if there is wave in favour of BJP, they vote for BJP and if it’s in favour of the Congress, they will vote for the party.

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