BJP and Congress try to win over artisans in OBC community ahead of Lok Sabha elections

With an eye on 2024 Lok Sabha polls, both BJP and Congress are taking steps to reach out to those segments of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) which don't own land and engage in their traditional family professions to consolidate their position for the general election.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Vishwakarma scheme' which seeks to provide benefits to artisans and craftsmen like carpenters, potters, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, boat-makers, cobblers, masons, barbers and tailors, among others, who are majorly from the OBC community.

On the other hand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also visiting and meeting people from the working class community. He recently met carpenters at a market in the national capital and then coolies at a railway station and before that two-wheeler mechanics, all those engaged in these activities are mainly from the OBC and lower class of society.


Leaders from both the parties suggest that unlike landholding OBCs like Yadavs, Kurmis, Jats, and several others, these OBCs engaged in their family profession and who are mainly seen as MBCs (most backward classes) are usually not identified with specific political parties.

The OBCs who are into traditional family professions are also seen as floating voters who do not have a permanent association with any specific party. Whereas land owning OBCs like Yadavs are identified with SP in Uttar Pradesh and RJD, Kurmis with Janta Dal (United) in Bihar and similarly other castes with other parties in different states.

Leaders in Congress suggest that Rahul Gandhi will continue to meet common people from the working class who may happen to be OBCs, but the real aim is to bring their hardships in limelight in wake of economic distress.