BJP trying to kill 2 birds with one stone

NDA on Monday nominated Bihar Governor and BJP’s veteran Scheduled Caste(SC) leader Ram Nath Kovind as their candidate for Presidential elections. However, the Dalit (SC) community leaders in Gujarat feel this is a calculated move by the government head of Assembly elections to pacify the community which is enraged over atrocity issues. 

Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani said, “When there were riots in Gujarat in 2002, BJP had made a Muslim, APJ Abdul Kalam, the President. Now when Dalits in state are angry with the BJP-ruled state government, they are trying to pacify the community by nominating a Dalit leader for presidential elections. I would recommend that the community should not think too much of this choice.”

“There is unrest among Dalit community because of Una flogging incident, death of Rohit Vemula and Saharanpur incident in UP of attack on leaders of Bhim army. This is BJP’s idiotic and irrational effort of patching up with the community,” added Mewani. Dalit activist Martin Macwan said, “The reason for the choice of SC candidate by BJP is clear. They are concerned about Dalit votes in country, which accounts for 16.52%. They are afraid Dalits will vote against BJP. Hence, they are trying to kill two birds with a stone. Firstly, they will be able to appease Dalits. Secondly, no party will want to challenge a Dalit candidate.”