Anticipation Grows for New BJP President in Uttar Pradesh
New Leadership on the Horizon
After a prolonged wait, the announcement regarding the new president of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit is expected soon. The process for appointing the new leader began last October, with expectations to finalize it by January. However, various pressures and political considerations have led to multiple delays. The fate of the new president seems to have been determined following Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Lucknow on Sunday and a subsequent meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his residence in Delhi last week.
Speculations Surrounding the New President
Sources indicate that Shah was in Lucknow to distribute appointment letters to newly appointed police officers, but other matters were also finalized during his visit. When Adityanath invited Shah to Lucknow last week, it appears that the discussions solidified the decision. Now, speculation is rife regarding who will lead the party in the crucial 2027 assembly elections.
Shah's initial remarks referring to Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya as "my friend" have reignited speculation that he could be the chosen one. Maurya is a prominent OBC face within the state BJP and enjoys popularity among party workers. He has also respected seniority, having served as state president when the BJP won Uttar Pradesh in 2017 after a two-decade gap, and has held the position of Deputy Chief Minister twice since then. The party seems inclined to select either an OBC or Dalit leader as the new president, given that both communities have been observed aligning with the opposition parties, such as the Samajwadi Party and Congress, ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Political Landscape and Challenges Ahead
The BJP experienced a decline in its seat count during last year's parliamentary elections, while the Samajwadi Party and Congress surprised many with their impressive performances. Party insiders suggest that in light of the increasing political activities of the Samajwadi Party and the central government's announcement of a caste census, there may be a preference for an OBC candidate. Names of OBC leaders such as Union Ministers B.L. Verma and Pankaj Chaudhary (both from the significant Kurmi community) and State Animal Husbandry Minister Dharmapal Singh (from the Lodhi Rajput community) are also being discussed. Among Dalit leaders, Minister Baby Rani Maurya, Aseem Arun, former Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria, and Vidya Sagar Sonkar are leading the conversation.