Suheldev Bharatiya SamajParty is an Indian political party founded in 2002.[1] The party is led by Om Prakash Rajbhar, Cabinet Minister in Uttar Pradesh.[1][2] The party has its headquarters in Rasra, Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh.[3] The party has a yellow flag.[1]
Profile
SBSP is based primarily based in eastern Uttar Pradesh and draws its support from the Rajbhar community. The party calls for the inclusion of the Rajbhar community in the list of Scheduled Tribes. However, it also favours the setting up of reservation quotas on socio-economic grounds. [1]
Electoral history
Indian general election, 2004
SBSP fielded 14 candidates in the 2004 Indian general election, one in Bihar and the rest in Uttar Pradesh. Together they obtained 275,267 votes (0.07% of the nationwide vote).[4]
The party contested 97 candidates in the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election. All but three candidates forfeited their deposits. It obtained a total of 491,347 votes (0.94% of the statewide vote).[7]
Indian general election, 2009
Ahead of the 2009 Indian general election SBSP joined the Apna Dal-led coalition Adhikar Manch ('Rights Platform'), an alliance of BSP splinter groups.[2] SBSP fielded twenty candidates, who together obtained 319,307 votes, though all forfeited their deposits.[8]
The party ran 52 candidates in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election. All but four candidates forfeited their deposits. In total the party obtained 477,330 votes (0.63% of the statewide vote).[10]
Indian general election, 2014
SBSP fielded 13 candidates in the 2014 Indian general election, whom together mustered 118,947 votes (0.02% of the nationwide vote).[11] Ahead of the election SBSP took part in forming the Ekta Manch ('Unity Platform'), a coalition of smaller parties in Uttar Pradesh. Om Prakash Rajbhar served as convenor of the coalition.[12]
In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, and working in alliance with BJP, SBSP contested eight seats in UP. It won five seats, with party leader Om Prakash Rajbhar becoming a minister in UP government.[14]
Indian general election, 2019
SBSP fielded 39 candidates in the 2019 Indian general election in Uttar Pradesh against BJP. This was in response to ally Bharatiya Janata Party’s proposal that SBSP contest on the saffron party’s lotus symbol from Ghosi in eastern Uttar Pradesh.[15]