‘Kanshi Ram’s real successor is Chandrashekhar Aazad who will complete Mayawati’s unfinished work’: Bhim Army chief

The 37-year-old Bhim Army founder and Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief, Chandrashekhar Aazad, has caused one of the biggest upsets of the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh. Aazad won from the Nagina seat in western UP by over 1.51 lakh votes, defeating the candidates of the BJP, SP and BSP. His victory heralds the rise of a new Dalit force in the country’s heartland amid the decline of the Mayawati-led BSP. In an interview withThe Indian Express, Aazad speaks on various issues including his poll performance and his party ASP(KR)’s future plans. Excerpts:

I would like to first thank Babasaheb Ambedkar andManyavar Kanshi Ram. Had Dr Ambedkar not created this opportunity in the Constitution then this son of a primary school teacher would not have been able to reach Parliament. If Kanshi Ram did not boost our morale, we would never have the energy to fight this battle. And then the workers of Bhim Army, who have worked hard, suffered police batons and faced criminal charges. And last but not the least, the people of Nagina, who ignored some very big parties to vote for me.

I thank all disadvantaged sections of the society, the minorities, women, but especially people from the Dalit community, who ditched their old party (BSP) to vote for me. The BSP candidate got only 1% vote. I will pay back to the people of Nagina.

I fully agree. But it has not happened on its own. This dissatisfaction with the BJP government you see among the people has been fuelled by the struggle of the Bhim Army. INDIA alliance people have been consistently in touch with me. When I was shot at (last year), they came to meet me. Later, when I held meetings, they also came to meet me. This sent a message to the electorate that ASP(KR) was part of the