Tanjerul Islam at 12:40, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T12:40:43Z

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{{Short description|Indian political party}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date= July 2023}}
{{Infobox Indian political party
|party_name = Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)
|colorcode = {{Party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}
|symbol =
|logo =File:Azad samaj party.png
| flag =
|alliance = [[Jannayak Janta Party|JJP]] ([[2024 Haryana Legislative Assembly election|2024]]) <br />
[[Rashtriya Loktantrik Party|RLP]] ([[2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election|2023]])
|abbreviation = ASP(KR)
|president = [[Chandrashekhar Azad (politician)|Chandrashekhar Azad]]
|loksabha_leader = [[Chandrashekhar Azad (politician)|Chandrashekhar Azad]]
|leader = [[Chandrashekhar Azad (politician)|Chandrashekhar Azad]]
|general_secretary= Ravindra Bhati Gurjar
|ppchairman = [[Chandrashekhar Azad (politician)|Chandrashekhar Azad]]
|founder =[[Chandrashekhar Azad (politician)|Chandrashekhar Azad]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/up-front/story/20230717-azad-samaj-party-in-up-a-shot-in-the-arm-2403364-2023-07-07|title=Azad Samaj Party in UP|website=www.indiatoday.in|date=7 July 2023 |access-date=7 July 2023}}</ref>
|foundation = {{start date and age|df=y|2020|03|15}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aazadsamajpartyk.org/2023/03/12/स्थापना-दिवस/|title=आजाद समाज पार्टी (कांशीराम) के तीसरे स्थापना दिवस पर "सीरी फोर्ट स्टेडियम" नई दिल्ली में प्रथम राष्ट्रीय अधिवेशन आयोजित किया जा रहा है|website=aazadsamajpartyk.org|access-date=15 March 2023}}</ref>
|split =
|headquarters = 3/22-c-136, c block Gokulpur [[New Delhi]], 110094
|ideology = [[Ambedkarism]]<br>[[Socialism]]<br>[[Social justice]]<br>[[Secularism]]
|colours = {{Color box|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}} [[Blue]]
|youth =[[Bhim Army]]
|students =Bhim Army Student Federation of India
|Cultural =
|Farmers =
|Workers =
|eci = [[List of political parties in India#state party|Registered Unrecognised party]]
|loksabha_seats = {{Composition bar|1|543|hex={{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
|rajyasabha_seats = {{Composition bar|0|245}}
|state_seats_name = [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
|state_seats = {{Composition bar|0|403}}
|state2_seats_name = [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council]]
|state2_seats = {{Composition bar|0|100}}
|no_states =
|website = {{URL|https://aazadsamajpartyk.org/}}
|position=[[Centre-left]]
}}
'''Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)''' ({{small|abbr.}} '''ASP(KR)'''), commonly known as '''Aazad Samaj Party''' {{small|abbr.}} '''ASP'''), is an Indian registered, [[List of political parties in India#Unrecognised parties|unrecognised]] [[political party]] in the [[Federated state|state]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. It was founded by [[Chandrashekhar Azad (politician)|Chandrashekhar Azad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/bhim-army-chief-chandrashekhar-launches-party/articleshow/74643563.cms|title=Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar launches party|website=bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com|access-date=16 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/bhim-army-president-announces-new-political-party-azad-samaj-party-2269626.html|title=Bhim Army President announces new political party 'Azad Samaj Party'|website=zeenews.india.com|access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main article|Bhim Army}}

===Precursor===
The Azad Samaj Party's origins lie in the Bhim Army founded by [[Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan|Chandra Shekhar Aazad]] in 2015 to protect constitutional rights and oppose caste oppression.<ref name="Rashid 2017" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Ambedkarite 2.0: Saharanpur's Bhim Army signals the rise of a new, aggressive Dalit politics |url=https://scroll.in/article/837494/ambedkarite-2-0-saharanpurs-bhim-army-signals-the-rise-of-a-new-aggressive-dalit-politics |last=Daniyal |first=Shoaib |website=Scroll.in |date=13 May 2017 |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-19}}</ref> The group formed after reports of discrimination and caste-based violence faced by [[Dalit]] students at AHP Inter-college in [[Uttar Pradesh]], and the Bhim Army then helped protect the Dalit students.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Ambedkar's Army |url=https://thequint.com/quintlab/ambedkar-dalit-army-fights-caste-atrocities-in-uttar-pradesh/ |last=Quint |first=The |website=TheQuint |language=en |access-date=2020-05-19}}</ref><ref name=":02" />

Azad gained attention after publicly posting a sign which read "The Great [[Chamar]] of Dhadkauli Welcome You."<ref name="Rashid 2017">{{cite news |last1=Rashid |first1=Omar |title=The lowdown on the Bhim Army |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-lowdown-on-the-bhim-army/article18956257.ece |access-date=22 January 2022 |work=[[The Hindu]] | date=June 10, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":02" /> Upper-caste [[Rajput]]s were upset with the Dalit celebration of identity and objected to the erection of the board.<ref name="signals">{{Cite web |title=Ambedkarite 2.0: Saharanpur's Bhim Army signals the rise of a new, aggressive Dalit politics |url=https://scroll.in/article/837494/ambedkarite-2-0-saharanpurs-bhim-army-signals-the-rise-of-a-new-aggressive-dalit-politics |last=Daniyal |first=Shoaib |website=Scroll.in |date=13 May 2017 |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-20}}</ref> But, the Bhim Army intervened and ensure that the Thakurs did not unleash any violence.<ref name="signals" /> In another incident, the Rajputs prevented a Dalit groom from riding a horse to his wedding.<ref name="signals" /> Yet again, the Bhim Army intervened and escorted the groom.<ref name="signals" />

The Bhim Army attained national prominence after clashes in Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-after-up-bhim-army-set-to-rock-maharashtra-2486846 |title=After UP, Bhim Army set to rock Maharashtra |date=29 June 2017 |publisher=[[DNA India]]}}</ref> In June 2017, the group's leader Chandrashekhar, a lawyer, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh [[Special Task Force (India)|Special Task Force]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bhim-army-chief-arrested-family-threatens-govt-congress-calls-him-victim-4695617/ |title=Bhim army chief arrested: Family threatens govt, Congress calls him 'victim' |date=9 June 2017 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> Chandrashekhar was granted bail by the [[Allahabad High Court]] in November 2017, but the Uttar Pradesh government led by [[Yogi Adityanath]] continued to detain him under the [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]] until it dropped the NSA order in September 2018 and acquitted Chandrashekhar from jail.<ref>Omar Rashid, [https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bhim-army-chief-chandrashekhar-azad-released-from-jail-says-dalits-will-ensure-bjps-rout-in-2019/article24947396.ece Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad released from jail, says he will ensure BJP's rout in 2019], ''The Hindu'' (14 September 2018).</ref> Chandrashekhar describes himself as a representative of [[Bahujan]] identity and a follower of [[Kanshi Ram]].

The group protests against discrimination and [[Caste-related violence in India|caste violence against Dalit]] by members of the upper [[Rajput|Thakurs]] caste in [[Saharanpur violence|violent clashes in 2017 in Saharanpur]]. Bhim Army rally in [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi]] in 2017 was attended by a large crowd,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/news/we-the-people/we-the-people-the-curse-of-caste-458461 |title=The Curse of Caste? |date=28 May 2017 |work=[[We the People (Indian TV series)|We the People]] | publisher=NDTV}}</ref> estimated to be 10,000 by [[Delhi Police]].

In August 2019, the Bhim Army took part in nationwide Dalit protests against the demolition of [[Shri Guru Ravidas Gurughar]], a temple dedicated to [[Sant Ravidas]] in [[Tughlaqabad]], [[Delhi]], on the orders of the [[Delhi Development Authority]] (DDA), following lengthy litigation between the DDA and Guru Ravidas Jainti Samaroh Samiti.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mukesh |last=Rawat |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dalit-protest-demolition-ravidas-temple-delhi-tughlakabad-explained-1590482-2019-08-22 |title=Explained: Why are Dalits agitated over demolition of Ravidas temple in Delhi |date=22 August 2019 |work=India Today |access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref> Dozens of people, including Chandrashekhar and Vinay Ratan, were arrested by police, prompting the Bhim Army to demand their release.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bhim-army-warns-movement-if-top-leaders-not-freed-1591311-2019-08-25 Bhim Army warns of movement if its top leaders are not freed], [[Indo-Asian News Service]] (25 August 2019).</ref>

In March 2020, Chandrashekhar announced that the Bhim Army would formally enter electoral politics. The group previously operated as a quasi-political force. Chandrashekhar stated that "''We tried to join hands and work unitedly with the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] but its leader was unwilling to do so.''" Chandrashekhar said the new political party would set up an office in [[Lucknow]] and work to counter the ruling BJP. Chandrashekhar has described the BJP as his chief political adversary, but has also competed with [[Mayawati]], the leader of the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad to announce new party on BSP founder Kanshi Ram's anniversary |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/Mar/12/bhim-army-chief-chandrashekhar-azad-to-announce-new-party-on-bsp-founder-kanshi-rams-anniversary-2115770.html |access-date=16 June 2024 |work=The New Indian Express |date=12 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

The Bhim Army opposes the BJP's [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019]] (CAA) legislation<ref>{{cite news |title=Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad Sent To Jail For 14 Days Over Citizenship Protests |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bhim-army-chief-chandrashekhar-azad-sent-to-jail-for-14-days-over-citizenship-protests-2152452#:~:text=Bhim%20Army%20chief%20Chandrashekhar%20Azad%20was%20sent%20to%2014%20days,before%20sending%20him%20to%20jail. |access-date=16 June 2024 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> In January and February 2020, the Bhim Army engaged in the [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests|protests against the CAA]] and sought its repeal.<ref>[https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/bhim-army-chief-chandrashekhar-azad-vows-to-fight-until-caa-is-repealed-800693.html Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad vows to fight until CAA is repealed], ''Deccan Herald'' (2 February 2020).</ref><ref>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/anti-caa-protests-court-asks-police-to-verify-if-bhim-army-chief-has-an-office-in-delhi/articleshow/73354094.cms Anti-CAA protests: Court asks police to verify if Bhim Army Chief has an office in Delhi], Press Trust of India (18 January 2020).</ref> In February 2020, street clashes took place between pro-CAA BJP supporters and Bhim Army supporters in connection with the [[North East Delhi riots]]; both sides engaged in stone-pelting.<ref>Neeraj Chauhan, [https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-riots-face-off-between-bhim-army-caa-backers-a-trigger/story-iYMqbEZjVNcXY3kzjxw8OO.html Delhi riots: Face-off between Bhim Army, CAA backers a trigger], ''Hindustan Times'' (28 February 2020).</ref>

===Current political organisation===

On 15 March 2020, Chandrashekhar officially announced his new political party named Azad Samaj Party. As many as 78 former leaders of the [[Samajwadi Party]], Bahujan Samaj Party and [[Indian National Congress]] joined the newly launched party.<ref>[https://zeenews.india.com/india/bhim-army-president-announces-new-political-party-azad-samaj-party-2269626.html Bhim Army President announces new political party 'Azad Samaj Party'], ''Zee News'' (15 March 2020).</ref>
[[Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan|Chandra Shekhar Aazad]] officially announced the formation of his new political party, named Azad Samaj Party, on 15 March 2020. A total of 98 former leaders from the [[Samajwadi Party]], [[Bhartiya Janta Party]], [[Indian National Congress]], and [[Rashtriya Lok Dal]] joined the newly launched party.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhim Army President announces new political party Azad Samaj Party |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/bhim-army-president-announces-new-political-party-azad-samaj-party-2269626.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>

On 27 October, the Azad Samaj Party formed an alliance with the [[Rashtriya Loktantrik Party]] for the [[2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election|2023 Rajasthan Assembly elections]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nair |first=Sobhana K. |date=2023-10-31 |title=Rashtriya Loktantrik Party makes another bid to lose its 'marginal player' tag in Rajasthan politics |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/rajasthan-assembly/rlp-makes-another-bid-to-lose-its-marginal-player-tag-in-rajasthan-politics/article67480833.ece |access-date=2023-11-08 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The party's leader Chandershekar Azad is the party's first Member of Parliament and is elected from nagina lok sabha constituency.

==Electoral performance==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Lok sabha election results
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Year
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Legislature
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"|Party leader
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"|Pre-poll alliance
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Seats contested
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Seats won
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Change in seats
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Total votes
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Overall vote %
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Vote swing
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Outcome
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Ref.
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2024 Indian general election|2024]]
| [[18th Lok Sabha]]
| [[Chandrashekhar Azad (politician)|Chandrashekhar Azad]]
|{{Steady}}
|8
|{{Composition bar|1|543|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
|5,12,552
|0.58%
| ''New''
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://results.eci.gov.in/PcResultGenJune2024/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605053823/https://results.eci.gov.in/PcResultGenJune2024/index.htm |archive-date=5 June 2024 |title=General Election to Parliamentary Constituencies: Trends & Results June-2024 |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date=26 August 2024 }}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+State assembly election results
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Year
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"|Party leader
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"|Pre-poll alliance
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Seats contested
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Seats won
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Change in seats
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Total votes
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Overall vote %
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Vote swing
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| Outcome
|-
!colspan="10" |[[2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election|Bihar]]
|-
|[[2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election|2025]]
|
|{{Steady}}
|100
|{{Composition bar|0|243|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
|{{Steady}}
|
|
|''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
|-
! colspan="10" |[[2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election|Delhi]]
|-
|[[2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election|2025]]
|
|{{Steady}}
|15
|{{Composition bar|0|70|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
|{{Steady}}
|3018
|
|''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
|-
! colspan="10" |[[2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election|Jammu and Kashmir]]
|-
|[[2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election|2024]]
|
|{{Steady}}
|3
|{{Composition bar|0|90|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
|{{Steady}}
|2,191
|0%
|''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
! colspan="10" |[[2024 Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election|Jharkhand]]
|-
|[[2024 Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election|2024]]
|
|{{Steady}}
|14
|{{Composition bar|0|81|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
|
|
|
|''new''
|
|-
! colspan="10" |[[2024 Haryana Legislative Assembly election|Haryana]]
|-
|[[2024 Haryana Legislative Assembly election|2024]]
|
|[[Jannayak Janta Party|JJP]]+
|12
|{{Composition bar|0|90|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
|{{Steady}}
|19,534
|0.1%
|''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
|- style="text-align:center;"
!Colspan=10|[[Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Madhya Pradesh]]
|-
| [[2023 Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2023]]
|
|{{Steady}}
| 86
|{{Composition bar|0|230|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
| {{Steady}}
|142,421
|0.33%
| ''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
! colspan="10" |[[2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election|Maharashtra]]
|-
|[[2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election|2024]]
|
|{{Steady}}
|40
|{{Composition bar|0|288|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
|
|
|
|''new''
|
|-
!Colspan=10|[[Punjab Legislative Assembly|Punjab]]
|-
| [[2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election|2022]]
|
|{{Steady}}
|8
|{{Composition bar|0|117|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
| {{Steady}}
|3,478
| 0.02%
| ''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
!Colspan=10|[[Rajasthan Legislative Assembly|Rajasthan]]
|-
| [[2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election|2023]]
|
|[[Rashtriya Loktantrik Party|RLP+]]
| 48
|{{Composition bar|0|200|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
| {{Steady}}
|355,259
| 0.89%
| ''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
!Colspan=10|[[Telangana Legislative Assembly|Telangana]]
|-
| [[2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election|2023]]
|
|{{Steady}}
| 4
|{{Composition bar|0|119|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
| {{Steady}}
|1,002
|0%
| ''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
!Colspan=10|[[Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly|Uttarakhand]]
|-
| [[2022 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2022]]
|
|{{Steady}}
| 13
|{{Composition bar|0|70|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
| {{Steady}}
| 34,109
| 0.63%
| ''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
!Colspan=10|[[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Uttar Pradesh]]
|-
| [[2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2022]]
| [[Chandrashekhar Azad (politician)|Chandrashekhar Azad]]
|{{Steady}}
| 110
|{{Composition bar|0|403|{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}}}}
| {{Steady}}
| 119,170
| 0.13%
| ''new''
|{{Steady}}
|-
|}

== State Leadership ==
The Azad Samaj Party has state units in Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, and other states.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"| State
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)}};color:white"|State President
|-
|Madhya Pradesh
|Satyendra Vidrohi
|-
|Uttar Pradesh
|Sunil Kumar Chittod
|-
|Uttarakhand
|Mahak Singh
|-
|Bihar
|Jauhar Azad
|-
|Jharkhand
|Kasif Raza
|-
|Rajasthan
|Amarchand Harsolia
|-
|Haryana
|Rame Pradhan
|-
|Delhi
|Balakram Bauddh
|}

==See also==
* [[List of political parties in India]]
* [[Bahujan Samaj Party]]
* [[Samajwadi Party]]
* [[Fourth Mayawati ministry]]
* [[Kanshi Ram]]
* [[List of Jatav]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Official website|https://bcyparty.org/}}
{{Indian political parties}}

[[Category:Regionalist parties in India]]
[[Category:2020 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2020]]
[[Category:Political parties in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Dalit politics]]
[[Category:Ambedkarite political parties]]

Aazad Samaj Party - Revision history

Tanjerul Islam at 12:40, 20 February 2026