Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram,draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj. Features of BSP: (i) It stands for the cause of securing the interests and welfare of the dalits and oppressed people. (ii) It has its main base in the state of Uttar Pradesh and substantial presence in neighbouring states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab. (iii) It formed government in Uttar Pradesh several times by taking support of different parties at different times.