BSP was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Shri Kanshi Ram. . It seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj which includes dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities. . It draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar, Ramaswami Naiker and Babasaheb Ambedkar. . It stands for the cause of securing the interests and welfare of the dalits a^d oppressed people. . It has its main base in UP and substantial presence in neighbouring states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab. . It formed government in UP several times by taking the support of different parties at different times.