With 2 Seats in Raj, BAP Expresses Disappointment but Remains Optimistic About Election Performance

Jaipur-In the ongoing fight between the BJP and Congress, a third party emerged, making significant strides in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This is the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP). As of the latest update, BAP candidate Kamleshwar Dodiyar won the election from Sailana seat of Madhya Pradesh while in Rajasthan Umesh Meena won the election from Aaspur and Rajkumar Roat from Chorasi assembly seats in Dungarpur district.

Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) was officially launched three months ago this year, and since then, thousands of tribal community members from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra have joined the party. The national president of this party is Mohanlal Roat. BAP is dedicated to becoming a national political entity aimed at uniting and supporting the rights of tribal communities in India.

BAP members who were initially connected with the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) severed all ties following internal infighting in the party over supporting the Congress during the political crisis in 2020. This year, BAP is contesting elections on all seats reserved for tribal communities in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, as well as seats adjacent to tribal areas that influence tribal votes.

Formed after the split from the Gujarat-based Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BTP), Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) has fielded its candidates on seats reserved for Scheduled Tribe representatives in the state. Among the notable candidates of BAP, Chaurasi MLA Rajkumar Rot stands out. He became a part of the assembly for the first time after winning the 2018 assembly elections from BTP. Alongside him, Ramprasad Dindor also became Sagwara MLA.

BAP fielded 27 candidates in Rajasthan and 12 in Madhya Pradesh, aiming to establish a robust presence in both Assemblies. The party was determined to put up a strong fight in Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

In an exclusive interview with The Mooknayak, Dr Jitendra Meena, a founding member of the Bharat Adiwasi Party (BAP), shared insights into the party's initial performance. He said the party is striving to break free from Congress-BJP Dominance in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

When questioned about the party's expectations versus reality, Meena disclosed that they initially anticipated securing victory in 7-10 seats in Rajasthan. However, the final outcome appears to confirm victory in only 2 seats in Rajasthan while at many places it would be on the second position. BAP has managed to pose formidable challenges on at least 5 seats, making the electoral battle tough for the political giants in the region.

According to Meena, Rajkumar Roat, the incumbent from Chorasi in the previous elections, and Aspur were confidently expected to be secured seats for the Bharat Adiwasi Party. However, there was a sense of disappointment in Dungarpur, Ghatol, Pratapgarh, Dhariyawad and Salumber, where they had hoped for a stronger performance.

When questioned about the unexpected dominance of the saffron party, Meena expressed disbelief. Despite exit polls suggesting a fierce battle, the sheer number of seats won by the saffron party, especially in the absence of an anti-incumbency wave, was described as surprising. Meena's observations provide valuable insights into the party's strategic expectations and the dynamics at play in the electoral landscape.

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