In Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, politics and history intertwine with Dalit influence. With a substantial Scheduled Caste (SC) population, Agra is often referred to as the ‘Dalit capital of northern India’. The political power in the region has been firmly held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2009, reflecting the complex dynamics of Dalit politics in the area. The recent ‘Anusoochit Jaati Mahasammelan’ hosted by the BJP highlights the pivotal role of Dalit politics in Agra’s political discourse.

The convergence of Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Agra during their joint rally for the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ is an indication of the importance of wooing Dalit voters. SP has fielded shoe baron Suresh Chandra Kardam, a former BSP worker, to challenge the BJP’s stronghold in the region. As a member of the Jatav community, Kardam is expected to eat into the Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) traditional vote bank.

Although Agra is designated as an SC seat, the BSP has struggled to secure victory here. However, the party’s nomination of Pooja Amrohi reflects its renewed efforts to challenge the existing political landscape. Pooja comes from a political background, with her mother being a prominent Congress functionary. Agra’s significance extends beyond electoral victories, as the city’s dominance in the footwear market provides substantial employment opportunities for Dalits, particularly Jatavs.

The city’s economic undercurrents have carved out political preferences, resulting in noticeable shifts in electoral outcomes. While the BSP won six of nine assembly seats in Agra during Mayawati’s tenure as Chief Minister in 2007 and 2012, the BJP swept all nine seats in 2017 and the 2022 assembly elections. Agra’s legacy as a bastion of Dalit history is deeply ingrained, with B. R. Ambedkar’s last speech in 1956 serving as a poignant reminder of the community’s struggles.

BJP’s strategy of amalgamating Hindutva with local caste equations has proven successful in the region. In contrast, the BSP faces the challenge of bridging the gap between rhetorical promises and grassroots mobilization. A cohesive vision and tangible grassroots engagement are crucial for reshaping political fortunes in Agra.

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