The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively considering its options for the next Uttar Pradesh (UP) state president, with caste equations playing a central role in the decision-making process. The party is weighing candidates from Brahmin, Other Backward Class (OBC), and Dalit communities. This decision is particularly crucial as the BJP aims to regain its footing in the state after setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and prepare for the 2027 Assembly elections. The announcement of the new state president is expected soon, possibly within the next two weeks.
Several factors are influencing the selection. The BJP seeks to counter the Samajwadi Party's (SP) "PDA" (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) strategy, which proved effective in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The PDA narrative is believed to have cut into the BJP's non-Yadav OBC and non-Jatav Dalit base, contributing to a significant drop in the party's Lok Sabha seats in UP. By strategically choosing a leader from either the Dalit or OBC community, the BJP hopes to reclaim its lost ground and rebuild its caste coalitions.
The BJP leadership understands the symbolic importance of the UP state president's role, recognizing its potential electoral consequences. The selection process involves backchannel discussions, with the central leadership ultimately making the final decision. The party is looking for a candidate with strong organizational skills, a cadre background, and good chemistry with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Preference may be given to someone with strong ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to boost the morale of dedicated party workers.
Several names are circulating as potential candidates. From the OBC category, contenders include Union Minister B.L. Verma, Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh, and Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh. Swatantra Dev Singh, a former UP BJP president, is said to have a cordial relationship with CM Yogi Adityanath and enjoys considerable support within the party. Other OBC names include Rajya Sabha MP Baburam Nishad and MLC Ashok Kataria.
Prominent Dalit leaders under consideration are former Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria and MLC Vidyasagar Sonkar. Choosing a Dalit leader could help the BJP address the shift of Dalit voters towards the Samajwadi Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which was partly attributed to concerns about potential changes to the Constitution under a strong BJP government.
The BJP is also considering Brahmin leaders for the position. Names in the mix include former Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma and former Basti MP Harish Dwivedi. Dinesh Sharma is known for his clean image and enjoys the confidence of the RSS and top leadership. Harish Dwivedi brings youth and parliamentary experience to the table. Appointing a Brahmin leader could help the BJP win back the support of a community that has traditionally been loyal to the party. Of the 15 BJP UP presidents since 1980, seven have been Brahmins.
The current state president, Bhupendra Chaudhary, a Jat leader from Western UP, was given an extension until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but a change in leadership is now expected. The new president will be tasked with leading the party into the upcoming 2025 panchayat elections and the crucial 2027 Assembly elections. The BJP is aiming to secure a third consecutive term in Lucknow.
The selection of the UP BJP president is linked to the election of the new BJP national president. The election for state party presidents in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh will be conducted after the announcement of the new national chief. The BJP has already appointed new state unit chiefs in several states, and the process is expected to be completed in the remaining states soon.
