Bahujan Samaj Party: A Profile The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), founded in 1984 by Kanshi Ram, champions the interests of Bahujans - Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and minorities. Kanshi Ram, aiming to unify this large segment of the Indian population often fragmented along caste lines, envisioned the BSP as a vehicle for their empowerment. His philosophy drew inspiration from B.R. Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Narayana Guru, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj, and Gautama Buddha. Mayawati, Kanshi Ram’s designated successor, assumed leadership in 2001. The party's core ideology centers on social justice and the upliftment of marginalized communities. Key policy positions include reservation policies, economic empowerment initiatives for the Bahujan population, and addressing social discrimination. The BSP’s electoral performance has been primarily focused in Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it secured 19.3% of the vote share, becoming the second-largest party in the state. However, its vote share dipped to 12.88% in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The party's election symbol, an elephant, is a historical reference to Dr. Ambedkar's Scheduled Castes Federation. While the BSP has held significant power in Uttar Pradesh at various points, its current standing reflects a fluctuating influence within the state's complex political landscape. The party’s historical impact lies in its advocacy for social justice and its significant role in Uttar Pradesh’s political dynamics. The party's future trajectory remains subject to the evolving socio-political environment of the state and national level.