In a calculated political outreach aimed at strengthening its support among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Uttar Pradesh, particularly the Most Backward Classes (MBCs) like the Nishad community, the Indian National Congress has launched an aggressive month-long campaign titled “Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan: Jatigat Jangarna, Haq Hai Hamara.”
The campaign, which kicked off on Saturday, was formally inaugurated in Lucknow by Avinash Pande, General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Pande, who arrived in the state capital on Friday night, will remain stationed in Lucknow until June 19 to oversee both the campaign and the party’s continuing internal reorganisation across Uttar Pradesh.
Focus on OBCs and the Caste Census
The Congress’s ambitious outreach, running from June 14 to July 14, is built around key demands such as the implementation of a caste-based census, an economic survey targeting marginalised communities, and raising the reservation cap beyond the current 50 per cent ceiling. The campaign is part of a broader strategy to challenge the ruling BJP’s narrative and reconnect with the socially disadvantaged groups across the state.
Party insiders say the emphasis on MBCs, including fisherfolk-dominated Nishad communities, is deliberate, reflecting an attempt to tap into an influential yet underserved voter base ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.
A Grassroots-Driven Strategy
As part of the campaign, the Congress has outlined an extensive district-level and village-centric programme, which includes:
- Bhagidari Nyay Padyatra at all district headquarters
- Campus engagement drives across universities and colleges, focusing on issues like student union interference and declining education standards.
- Village-level ‘Chaupals’ to mobilise discussions around caste enumeration, reservation policy, and government recruitment practices
- Special initiatives in Nishad-majority regions, demanding a River Rights Law, aimed at securing social and economic protections for river-based communities.
Critique of Government Policies
The party will also address concerns over the alleged rampant use of the “Not Found Suitable” (NFS) tag in college admissions and hiring, which it claims is being used to deny rightful candidates from backward communities. Other major issues to be raised include the rise in contractual government jobs, lack of employment avenues, and the deteriorating quality of public education.
Internal Party Reorganisation Underway
Parallel to the outreach campaign, Congress is continuing efforts to restructure its state unit, which began earlier this year. After reorganising the district and city-level units in March, the party is now in the final stages of forming district committees. However, the announcement of a new Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPPCC) is still awaited. Party sources indicate that while the state unit has already submitted its recommendations to the AICC, a final approval is pending.
During his six-day stay in Lucknow, Avinash Pande is scheduled to conduct zonal review meetings and hold individual consultations with district-level leaders, focusing on grassroots challenges, organisational gaps, and campaign feedback.
A Calculated Move Ahead of 2027
This campaign is widely seen as an effort by the Congress to reclaim lost ground in Uttar Pradesh, a state that once served as its stronghold. With caste politics re-emerging as a potent electoral force and the BJP facing increasing scrutiny over its social justice record, the Congress appears keen to position itself as a credible alternative voice for equity and representation.
Analysts believe that the success of this outreach will depend on the party’s ability to translate symbolic activism into structural organisation and sustained presence on the ground, especially in the rural heartland.
As the state heads into a politically charged atmosphere in the run-up to 2027, the Congress’s Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan could signal the beginning of a more assertive and data-driven strategy in India’s largest and most electorally significant state.
