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When the Congress decided to raise the Ambedkar issue, it was easier for the allies to join in as it resonated with their vote banks as well
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. (File photo: PTI)
In the end, political compulsions ruled. The Congress has changed its focus in the last few days, from Adani to Ambedkar.
There are a few reasons for this, even as Rahul Gandhi won’t give up on his plank. The Ambedkar issue has given the Congress a chance to re-weave the narrative that, according to the Congress, worked in the Lok Sabha polls. “Samvidhan khatre mein hai (The Constitution is in danger)” was the slogan that clicked briefly as it coincided with the comments of some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders who suggested changes in the Constitution.
But by the time the Maharashtra polls came, the BJP had grown smarter and countered it. Rahul Gandhi’s obsession with his pet issue posed two problems. Firstly, it found little traction among the people. Many within the Congress felt it would not bring poll dividends and should be put on the back burner. Secondly, this issue divided the INDIA bloc. After the first few days, slowly many of the allies backed out. The Samajwadi Party was upset about the Sambhal unrest not being the main issue, while the Trinamool Congress maintained distance.
But when the Congress decided to raise the Ambedkar issue, it was easier for the allies to join in as it resonated with their vote banks as well.
For the SP, the Dalit vote matters. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also have their eyes on upcoming polls.
Around 16% of votes in Delhi come from Dalits. AAP, Congress, and BJP are targeting this. In the April-June Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA bloc got around 64% of these votes, while the BJP got about 26%. None of them want to lose that, and that’s why the Congress doesn’t mind giving up Adani for Ambedkar, for now.
