Nishad threatens to rethink alliance in 2027 if fishermen don’t get SC quota

Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (NISHAD) Party chief and Uttar Pradesh fisheries minister Sanjay Nishad has warned the BJP-led government to fulfil its promise of extending Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation benefits to the fishermen community, or they would have to rethink over support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2027 assembly elections.

- HT Correspondent

If the BJP fails to deliver on its commitment, we will be compelled to reconsider our alliance with the NDA ahead of 2027 elections,” Nishad told Hindustan Times. “I will consult with party workers and supporters to discuss our future strategy,” he added.

Nishad said the Samajwadi Party was capitalising on the resentment brewing among the fishermen community over the reservation issue. “The SP aims to spread its base in the fishermen-dominated areas. Riding on the disenchantment of the community, the SP managed to get substantial fishermen community votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Even the BSP is organising cadre camps in the villages dominated by the fishermen community to win their support,” he said.With pressure building to get the SC status for the 17 sub-castes of the fishermen community, including Manjhi, Kahar, Kashyap, Kewat, Mallah, Rakwar, Dhivar, Bind, Dhimar, Batham, Turha, Godiya, Manjhi, Machuwa, Mujabir, Gond and Rajgond, Sanjay Nishad had, in January earlier this year, organised a month-long ‘Samvaidhanik Adhikar’ (Constitutional Right) Yatra across 231 assembly constituencies across U.P. to mobilise support over his demand.