Political Turmoil in Uttar Pradesh Over Voter List Changes
Political Reactions to Voter List Changes
The announcement of the draft list for 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) in Uttar Pradesh has stirred significant political unrest. Approximately 2.89 crore voters, representing nearly 18.70% of the total electorate, have had their names removed from the list. This substantial reduction has prompted the BJP leadership to take immediate action, launching a campaign at a 'war footing' to mitigate potential electoral losses.
Major Voter Name Removals
The highest percentage of voter removals occurred in Lucknow, where around 30% of names were cut, followed closely by Ghaziabad with 28%. Other major urban centers in Uttar Pradesh, including Balrampur, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Meerut, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Hapur, Saharanpur, and Agra, also experienced significant name deletions. Reports suggest that the BJP may face losses in Muslim-majority areas as well, with estimates indicating a loss of nearly 100,000 votes in several assembly constituencies that were previously won by margins of 5,000 to 20,000 votes.
Impact on BJP's Strongholds
Data reveals that the most significant cuts in the voter list have occurred in urban regions traditionally viewed as BJP strongholds. In Lucknow, approximately 30% (around 1.2 million) names were removed, while Ghaziabad saw a reduction of 28% (about 818,000 voters). Other affected cities include Kanpur, Prayagraj, Meerut, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Agra, and Saharanpur.
BJP's Concerns Over Voter Loss
According to party insiders, the BJP had previously secured victories in several assembly seats by narrow margins of 5,000 to 20,000 votes. The anticipated loss of over 100,000 votes in these areas has raised alarms within the party, especially with reports of name removals in Muslim-majority regions.
Strategic Meetings and Campaign Plans
In light of the serious implications for the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened a virtual meeting with BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary and other key figures. The meeting included various party leaders, such as MPs, MLAs, MLCs, ministers, organizational leaders, and district presidents. During this session, legislators were urged to work diligently and treat the situation as a personal electoral challenge. Organizational leaders were instructed to ensure that Form-6 reaches every assembly, division, and ward level, with all district presidents, MLCs, MLAs, MPs, and ministers expected to participate actively.
Ongoing Efforts to Mitigate Losses
The party leadership emphasized the need for continuous efforts to prevent organizational losses. Leaders and workers have been tasked with working hard to avoid any electoral setbacks. Daily booth-level reports are now mandatory for submission to the central office, with a particular focus on urban voter demographics. District presidents are required to form teams of ten and submit progress reports each evening, ensuring that all officials are present at booths during the campaign. A comprehensive review is scheduled for January 17.
Oversight of the Process
BJP sources indicate that the party high command has appointed Lakshman, the president of the OBC front and a Rajya Sabha MP, to oversee this process.