Nominations for BJP President in Uttar Pradesh are to be held today, and the excitement is intense from Delhi to Lucknow. BJP has seen the results of 2024 elections in UP, and now the challenge is of 2027. Therefore, BJP does not want to give any message that there is no consensus regarding the organizational structure in UP. This is the reason why BJP wants a state president in UP who can effectively counter both Mission 2027 and the PDA formula of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
BJP has prepared a foolproof plan to counter Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA strategy in UP. Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary fits perfectly into this plan. By promoting Pankaj Choudhary, BJP aims to neutralize the PDA card that Akhilesh Yadav had used to harm BJP in the 2024 elections. Pankaj Chaudhary comes from the Kurmi caste, which is the second largest caste in UP after the Yadavs.
Kurmi and Yadav population in UP strengthens the PDA politics of Samajwadi Party. Therefore, to send a message to the backward castes and to prevent Akhilesh’s PDA from getting stronger, there is talk of handing over the command to Pankaj Choudhary. It is noteworthy that in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a total of 11 Kurmi MPs had won in UP, most of whom were from the Samajwadi Party. SP had fielded 12 Kurmi candidates, out of which 7 won. BJP had fielded 5 Kurmi candidates, out of which 3 won. Apart from this, Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal also won.
Elections in UP are scheduled to be held in 2027, and UP is the largest state in the country with 403 assembly seats. While CM Yogi Adityanath is trying his best to hit a hat-trick, BJP needs a face in the state who can strengthen the organization and create a new history in the state by not repeating the mistakes made in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This face should be such that it can give a strong mandate like the one seen in Maharashtra and Bihar.
Other names being discussed for UP BJP president include:
Dharampal Singh – Minister in Yogi cabinet and is from RSS background. He has played roles in both government and organizations, and comes from the Lodhi community in the OBC category.
B.L. Verma – He is the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs in the Central Government and has been a minister in both the tenures of PM Modi. He is a member of Rajya Sabha.
Harish Dwivedi – He has been a Member of Parliament from Basti and is a prominent Brahmin face of BJP in Uttar Pradesh. He has wide experience in both organization and government.
Govind Shukla – He is the General Secretary of UP BJP and currently a member of the Legislative Council. He is in-charge of Gorakhpur and is a prominent Brahmin face of BJP.