The correct option is Kanshi Ram.
Explanation
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is a national political party in India formed to represent the 'Bahujan' (people in majority), referring to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, along with religious minorities. Its ideology is inspired by the teachings of B.R. Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, and Periyar E.V. Ramasamy.
Detailed Analysis:
- Kanshi Ram: He founded the Bahujan Samaj Party on April 14, 1984 (the birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar). Prior to this, he had mobilized the Dalit community through organizations like BAMCEF (All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation) and DS4 (Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti).
- Mayawati: She is the successor to Kanshi Ram and has served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh multiple times. She played a crucial role in the party's expansion but was not its founder.
- B.R. Ambedkar: Although he is the ideological icon of the BSP, he passed away in 1956. He founded the Independent Labour Party and the Scheduled Castes Federation.
- Mulayam Singh Yadav: He was the founder of the Samajwadi Party (SP), which is a distinct political rival to the BSP in Uttar Pradesh.
Key Takeaway: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was established by Kanshi Ram in 1984 to consolidate the political power of marginalized communities in India.