Keshav Prasad Maurya Emerges as Front-Runner for UP BJP President Role

Once again, Keshav Prasad Maurya's name is surfacing as a strong candidate for the position of Uttar Pradesh BJP President. Notably, Maurya, who has frequently emphasized the importance of the organization over the government, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday evening. This meeting has led to speculation that he may replace Bhupendra Chaudhary as the state party president, especially since Chaudhary's term has concluded.

Regarding the discussions between Amit Shah and Keshav Prasad Maurya, it has been reported that they extensively covered the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2027, as well as the forthcoming Panchayat elections. The two leaders engaged in detailed discussions about organizational and electoral strategies for these elections. Additionally, there were talks about a potential cabinet reshuffle and expansion in Uttar Pradesh. This meeting signifies not only a focus on electoral strategy but also reflects Amit Shah's growing confidence in Maurya concerning the BJP's organizational structure and cabinet composition.

It is worth recalling that last month, when Amit Shah visited Lucknow to distribute appointment letters to over 60,000 newly recruited police officers, he referred to Keshav Prasad Maurya as 'my friend' during his address. In response to reporters, Maurya expressed that he regards Amit Shah as a mentor. He reminisced about receiving a ticket from the party for the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat when Shah was in charge of Uttar Pradesh. Maurya won the election and later took on the role of state president when Shah became the national president of the party. He credited Shah for his political learning, stating that he considers Shah a master strategist in politics and feels privileged to receive guidance from him.

Keshav Prasad Maurya is a prominent leader among the OBC community in Uttar Pradesh. The meeting between Amit Shah and Maurya suggests that he could once again become the face of the party amid changing political dynamics in the state. During his previous tenure as president from 2016 to 2017, the BJP achieved significant success in the 2017 Assembly elections. Maurya has been a key figure in attracting OBC (especially non-Yadav) votes, which constitute approximately 30-35% of Uttar Pradesh's population. If he is reinstated as the party leader in the state, it could enhance the BJP's appeal among non-Yadav OBC voters. The party is currently striving to regain its footing among rural voters and the OBC community, which has seen a decline in support during the last Lok Sabha elections. Furthermore, Maurya's organizational experience, OBC support base, and leadership ambition align well with the strategies of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.