Few Dalit tickets in 165 constituencies
Reports on candidate distribution show that only a handful of Dalit candidates have been given tickets in the 165 first-past-the-post constituencies by major parties. In some districts, Dalit hopefuls who were initially considered or even recommended were later replaced by non-Dalit candidates during final negotiations.
This pattern continues a long-standing trend where Dalit leaders are largely channelled through party structures and proportional lists rather than being allowed to contest winnable direct seats.
Constitutional inclusion versus party practice
The constitution requires parties to ensure that their overall parliamentary delegation reflects the country’s diversity, including roughly matching the Dalit share of the population through proportional representation. As a result, Dalit representation through the proportional system has come close to population share in recent cycles.
However, there is no binding legal quota for Dalits in FPTP seats. Activists argue that without such a requirement, parties systematically overlook Dalit aspirants when competition is tight. Some scholars have warned that the new House could emerge with very few or even no directly elected Dalit MPs, which they describe as a serious setback for substantive inclusion.
Dalit civil society alliances are therefore pressuring parties to include clear and time-bound commitments on Dalit candidacy, leadership development and campaign financing support in their 2026 manifestos.