Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad on Saturday reiterated his demand for reservation for the riverine community, referred to its support for the BJP, saying “we want our full share”, and warned against ignoring the demand.
“The BJP should also think about this.
Addressing a “Constitutional Security and Rights Conference” on the NRIPT campus in Teliyarganj here, Nishad said the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had used the community for electoral gains in the past without granting it reservation. The relationship of “roti-beti” (social and familial ties) that was established during Kalyan Singh’s tenure should be revived. If we do not get reservation, you too will face betrayal,” he said. Nishad said reservation for the fishing community was among the issues discussed when the alliance was forged. Responding to allegations that he was enjoying the benefits of power and had remembered the fishing community only after five years, Nishad said the community’s political representation had increased through its association with the government.
He said political parties ignoring sub-castes living along the Ganga and Yamuna would have to reckon with their support in the 2027 assembly elections.
“When we have given our complete vote, we want our full share too,” he said. Nishad said those trying to teach his community the ABCD of politics would instead be made to understand the political significance of the Kashyap, Lodhi, Majhwar and Nishad communities, which he described as the “KLMN equation”.
