Ex-BJP UP MP says paper leaks a reason for loss, adds can’t discount Dalit switch

As the Uttar Pradesh BJP gets ready to submit its Lok Sabha election review to the party’s central leadership, its former Kannauj MP Subrat Pathak, who lost his seat to Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, publicly stated on Monday that paper leaks were “one of the major reasons” for the party’s defeat.

On Tuesday, asked about the same by The Indian Express, Pathak attributed his defeat to the loss of Dalit votes because of the Opposition’s “false narrative” that a BJP-led NDA with more than 400 seats would alter the Constitution and end reservation.

“Paper leaks were one of the reasons behind the BJP losing votes in many seats across Uttar Pradesh,” Pathak told The Indian Express. “Even during the campaign, we met youths who were angry because exams were being cancelled due to paper leaks. The Opposition then made false statements that the BJP does not want to give employment to the youth, especially Dalits, so that they could not receive the benefits of reservation in jobs. Therefore, they alleged, the paper leaks were facilitated.”

Pathak, however, added, “The paper leaks were not the reason for my defeat in Kannauj. I received close to 5 lakh votes, including from the upper castes and OBCs, except Yadavs. But, I lost because Dalit votes went to the SP. A doctored video of Amit Shah was circulated among Dalits in which it was shown that the Constitution would be changed after the NDA secured 400 seats. The Opposition convinced the Dalit community that reservations would be ended.”

Pathak had lost to current Mainpuri MP Dimple Yadav, Akhilesh’s wife, in a close contest in 2014 when he received 42.11% of the votes and the SP leader had a 43.89% vote share. Five years later, the tables were turned as Pathak eked