Prajapati body asks parties to nominate candidates from the community in proportion to its population

The Prajapati Community Service Foundation (PCSF) on Monday (June 29, 2026) urged all political parties to allocate election tickets to candidates from the community in proportion to its population, with Assembly elections scheduled in five States in the first half of 2027.They had written to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress, and the Samajwadi Party in this regard, PCSF president Raajesh Prajapati said at a press conference. The PCSF also expects to approach other parties, including the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).The NGO has so far received a response from the Congress, Mr. Prajapati said. Delegations comprising representatives of the community from various States have met the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, thrice — twice in his constituency, Raebareli in U.P., in September 2025 and May 2026, and once at 10 Janpath, on June 12, 2026, he said.On Sunday (June 28, 2026), the PCSF organised a training session for over 50 delegates of the community from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Goa, mentored by Congress MLA Dungar Ram Gedar from Suratgarh, Rajasthan.“The community decided to field at least 20 candidates from various political parties in the States that are scheduled to go for Assembly elections in 2027. We are also preparing at least five candidates who will fight the Lok Sabha election in 2029,” Mr. Prajapati said, adding that the goal was to ensure greater participation in policy-making.Assembly elections are due in early 2027 in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa, and Manipur.Established in 2024, the PCSF provides financial assistance to academically meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families of the community, which is also known as Prajapati, Kumhar, Kumbhar, Kumawat, Kulal, etc. The community is recognised as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in many States, as a Scheduled Caste (SC) in some districts of Madhya Pradesh, and as an Extremely Backward Class (EBC) in Bihar. Published - June 29, 2026 05:25 pm IST