Uttar Pradesh— In a significant move, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has decided to discontinue the practice of accepting monetary support from its supporters during cadre meetings. This decision, which could impact the party’s financial resources, comes at a time when it is grappling with a steep electoral decline.

According to sources, BSP leaders have been increasingly uncomfortable asking for financial contributions, given the party’s declining electoral fortunes.

“In the past, leaders encouraged attendees to contribute voluntarily, especially when the BSP was a formidable force at the national level. However, as our electoral performance has weakened and many of our supporters belong to economically weaker sections, we have decided to stop this practice. That said, if someone wishes to contribute voluntarily, they are welcome to do so,” a senior BSP leader stated.

However, not all party members are in favor of this decision. Some argue that financial contributions from the cadre, along with membership fees, have been the BSP’s primary sources of funding. “Unlike other parties, we do not receive substantial funds from business houses, as evident in the electoral bond disclosures. Now, our only reliable source of revenue is the membership fee of Rs 50 per person,” a party insider noted.

Following its dismal performance in the last Lok Sabha elections, where it failed to win a single seat, the BSP reduced its membership fee from Rs 200 to Rs 50 to attract more members from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.

Despite this reduction, the party’s financial disclosures to the Election Commission indicate a sharp increase in earnings from “fees and subscriptions.” Revenue from this source surged from Rs 600 lakh in 2021-22 to Rs 1,373 lakh in 2022-23 and further to Rs 2,659 lakh in 2023-24. Notably, financial reports for all three years show no income from donations or grants.

Reviving Cadre Meetings and Strengthening the Base

Before the BSP’s historic victory in Uttar Pradesh in 2007, cadre meetings played a crucial role in strengthening the party’s organizational structure. However, sources suggest these meetings were largely discontinued after Mayawati became Chief Minister and were only recently revived, albeit irregularly.

A senior party leader revealed that these closed-door cadre meetings typically involve around 400 participants from Dalit, Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minority communities. “Before these meetings, we focus on reinforcing the party’s grassroots structure through booth- and sector-level reviews,” the leader added.

The party resumed cadre meetings in March in select areas of Uttar Pradesh and plans to extend them nationwide in a systematic manner starting in October, following the conclusion of the ongoing six-month membership drive. Mayawati is also expected to address public gatherings across various states as part of the BSP’s revival strategy.

Reaching Beyond the Dalit Base

As part of its revival efforts, the BSP aims to expand its appeal beyond its traditional Dalit vote bank by re-engaging OBC communities.

“Prominent OBC groups such as Rajbhars, Nishads, Mauryas, Kushwahas, Sainis, and Kurmis were once aligned with the BSP. We provided them political representation before 2012. However, since our loss of power, they have shifted their allegiance to the Samajwadi Party (SP), BJP, and smaller regional outfits. We need to reclaim their support because relying solely on Dalit votes will not bring the BSP back to power,” a party leader explained.

With this strategic shift, the BSP is attempting to rebuild its organizational strength and regain its lost political ground in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.