Prime Minister Mayawati? Is the Obama Factor already taking effect? |History: The Roadmap to the Future--Asia

Finally, a blog post on the topic of India. Yes, South Asia is also covered by this blog.

India is an ancient country which, whether Indians want to acknowledge it or not, is plagued by caste based racism. India's political and (especially) business leadership is largely headed by members of the upper castes. Meanwhile, those from lower castes or dalits (formerly 'untouchables,' and not even warranting a caste they are considered to be so low) tend to be more represented in menial jobs than their percentage of the population would suggest. As in all countries with racism--which is all of them--racial prejudice and discrimination are at the highest levels in the rural and less developed regions of the country.

Which makes it all the more surprising that Uttar Pradesh, the poorest state in India, has elected into the state government a dalit. And not only that, but that dalit leader, Mayawati, is being tipped by some as the next prime minister (which in India is the top political position) of all India.

Kanpur is the largest city in the Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Mayawati has risen to power rapidly in the state, and her Bahujan Samaj is making headway in other Indian states, too. So, does Mayawati stand a chance of becoming Indian Prime Minister?

There are several things in Mayawati's support. For one, Mayawati is a shrewd and intelligent politician, and should not be underestimated on that account alone. Furthermore, Mayawati, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation, tends to increase in power during times of turmoil. If the current semi-crises in high oil and food prices don't abate, India will have plenty of turmoil.

Then there is the question of the 'Obama Factor.' The United States, for the first time in that country's history, has a 'black' man as a major contender for the Presidency. As 'blacks' are generally to the United States what dalits are to India--at least from a historical point of view--the United States, via Obama, could be taking the lead in changing nations' perceptions of their downtrodden racial groups.

Now the fact should be pointed out that Mayawati rose to power in Uttar Pradesh before Obama became big and popular on a global scale. However, the Indian politician's success across India has come more recently.

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In any case, if the United States has to have Obama as President, then changing attitudes to 'race' could be one advantage an Obama Presidency would bring. Ushering in a new era where 'even' a dalit, an untouchable, can become the preeminent politician in India.