C.+Political+Affiliations

//**India**// achieved independence in 1948, and the ensuing period ushered increased political agitation. This political agitation was sponsored by caste associations which were representative bodies used to mobilize caste members and demonstrate caste pride. Subsequently, the caste associations worked in coalition with political parties in competing in elections. In Gujarat, some of the leaders of the Kshatriya Sabha formed the party of the Kshatriyas in the early fifties. The political elite of the Kurmis, Yadavas and Koeris formed the Bihar State Backward Caste Association in 1947 to contest elections.

Initially, political parties resisted the agitation of caste associations because of pressure from the dominant castes. However, the agitation of the caste associations precipitated and caused the political parties to pursue caste leaders. Eventually, the caste leaders joined the political parties but had sinister objectives. The caste leaders joined the political parties with the objectives of garnering personal political leverage. Further, these caste leaders abandoned the interests of the caste associations.

There are three consequences of interaction between the caste associations and political parties. First, caste members particularly poor and marginalized get politicized and began to participate in electoral politics. Second, caste members get split among various political parties weakening hold of the caste. Third, numerically large castes get representation in decision-making bodies and strength of the traditionally dominant castes get weaken. These factors explained the rise of middle and backward caste representation in most state assemblies.



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