In UP, the SP has strengthened its foothold in Purvanchal by opening the PDA Bhavan. The BJP is now looking for a counter to this narrative. The question is, will the next state president be from Purvanchal?
UP Politics: Uttar Pradesh politics is taking a new direction these days. On one hand, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav is trying to strengthen his political grip in Purvanchal through the PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) card, while on the other hand, the BJP is now looking for a counter to that card. The question is whether the BJP will achieve political balance by choosing the next state president from Purvanchal?
Search for a New State President Intensifies in BJP
Discussions about the names for the post of state president in the BJP have intensified. The term of the current state president, Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, has been completed. After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party has now geared up for the 2027 elections. Under this strategy, the state organization is being revamped.
In such a situation, several things become important in the selection of a new president. Firstly, social balance, secondly, regional representation, and thirdly, a counter to the opposition's strategy. In the past, the BJP has trusted OBC faces. Keshav Prasad Maurya and Swatantra Dev Singh are examples of this.
Akhilesh's 'PDA Bhavan' Gamble in Purvanchal
The Samajwadi Party has now played a big gamble in the politics of Purvanchal. Akhilesh Yadav inaugurated the 'PDA Bhavan' in Azamgarh. Akhilesh said that this is the party's headquarters in Purvanchal. He also said that this would be his second permanent address after Saifai.
The inauguration of the PDA Bhavan was not just a formal event. It is a symbol of the SP's social engineering strategy. The party's focus is now on Yadav, Kurmi, Rajbhar, Kushwaha, and Muslim voters, who are in good numbers in Purvanchal.
Why is Azamgarh Important for Akhilesh?
Politically, Azamgarh's position is very important. To its north is Gorakhpur, the bhold of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while to the south is Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Azamgarh is considered a b hold of the SP between these two powerful political poles.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the SP won both the seats of Azamgarh and has control over all 10 assembly seats. This region is strategically very important for the SP because the party is promoting its 'PDA vs BJP' narrative from here.
BJP's Social Engineering and President Selection
The BJP is also sensing this social equation. The party is now looking for a face that can counter the SP's PDA formula. Especially, the party wants to balance the opposition's narrative by making an OBC or Dalit leader from Purvanchal as the president.
However, in the BJP, the announcement of leadership names is usually surprising. Sometimes, the names that are not discussed come to the fore. In such a situation, it is difficult to guess the final name, but it is certain that Purvanchal is a priority for the BJP this time.
Parties Gear Up for 2027
In the 2024 elections, the BJP won 33 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. While in 2019, it had won 62 seats. This decline is a matter of concern for the BJP. Now the party has geared up for the preparations for the panchayat elections and the 2027 assembly elections.
All parties are now engaged in their own social engineering. While the SP is working on the PDA strategy, the BJP is also moving towards a new balance. This is the reason that every plan of the organization, from the selection of the president, is being viewed with a new perspective.
Mango Festival and Apna Dal's Displeasure
Meanwhile, political developments along with the Mango Festival in the capital Lucknow were also in discussion. During the Jan Swabhiman Diwas (Self-Respect Day) on the birth anniversary of Sonelal Patel, displeasure was seen within Apna Dal (S).
A faction of Apna Dal (S) formed a separate front and kept away from the program. Angered by this, party chief Ashish Patel indirectly targeted the BJP. It is believed that Ashish Patel may also resign from the ministerial post.
