Inclusive Dimension of Divisive Tools of Caste & Religion: Electoral Politics of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

In the 1990s, a resource-distribution debate emerged in politics, instigated by the rise of the plebeians in structure, which was formalised by the Mandal Commission's recommendations. They demanded their share in national resources; however, this demand was further challenged by the simultaneous politics of the Hindutva movement, based on the upper-caste vote bank, and considered Hindus as one identity irrespective of their caste. This debate was more pronounced in Uttar Pradesh, manifesting as the SP/BSP, rooted in caste politics, and the BJP, rooted in Hindutva politics. However, since no party's social base was able to cross the assembly threshold of 50+1, in the FPTP system & diverse society of Uttar Pradesh, they started creating alliances, first a political alliance and then a social alliance. In this context, authors are examining the impact on electoral politics in Uttar Pradesh and find the inclusive nature of politics to be undermined by divisive tools of religion and caste. Both ideological groupings underwent a dramatic change when it came to electoral politics; exclusivity in ideology became inclusive in electoral politics. The study of politics for the Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections proved that caste and religion alone are not responsible for divisive politics, societal diversity & fragmentation and the electoral system has a great role in deciding the divisiveness of caste and religion.

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