Even as BJP is brainstorming to find reasons of electoral setbacks in two important states, Rajasthan and UP, there is speculation of changing the Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The saffron party has for the time being put an end to these rumours and Yogi Adityanath is unlikely to be disturbed in the foreseeable future.
According to sources, the BJP high command has decided to grant CM Yogi autonomy in decision-making, including managing upcoming by-elections for 10 seats. There will also be a focus on enhancing coordination between the government and the party organisation. Additionally, a change in the state president’s position is expected to target the Opposition’s support base among backward communities, Dalits, and minorities (PDA).
In a strategic move, the BJP is considering appointing a Dalit or someone from the backward classes as the new state president instead of Bhupendra Chaudhary, aiming to bolster the organisation. Party’s national president JP Nadda held individual meetings with Bhupendra Chaudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday night.
Bhupendra Chaudhary met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and gave his report on the elections. Meanwhile, CM Yogi held a meeting in Lucknow and formed a team of 30 ministers for the by-elections to be held on 10 seats. The Deputy Chief Ministers were, however, conspicuous by their absence in the meeting. A series of meetings has been going on both in Lucknow and Delhi.
The party had suffered a major setback in the Lok Sabha elections in the major states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The party lost 29 seats in UP and 11 seats in Rajasthan as compared to 2019. The total number of the seats lost in these two states is 40, denying BJP majority on its own in the Lok Sabha.
At the same time, during his seven-year tenure, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath faced an unexpected setback, which caught many by surprise and provided ammunition for his political opponents to criticise his style of functioning.
Despite Yogi’s popularity, some of his opponents tried to undermine him through various media campaigns. However, the BJP’s Central leadership effectively countered these efforts, thwarting attempts to tarnish Yogi’s reputation.
In the lead-up to the general elections, Opposition leaders, particularly Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal targeted Yogi. They held press conferences in Lucknow, seeking to convey a narrative that suggested the public sentiment in Delhi was against Yogi’s leadership in Uttar Pradesh.
Political analysts believe that this concerted strategy by the Opposition succeeded in sowing confusion among BJP workers and supporters. It played a role in the BJP’s electoral setback, influencing voter perceptions during the crucial election period.
BJP has two potent challenges in Uttar Pradesh. One is to find a solution to the Ppposition’s PDA and the other is to fix the infighting. Following the election results, the BJP’s high command has taken a serious note of the social media coverage concerning former state president and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Maurya’s remarks during the post-election review meeting emphasizing party unity above personal interests. This sparked discussions about replacing CM Yogi. However, the BJP lacks a viable alternative to Yogi in Uttar Pradesh.
Additionally, the opposition’s successful PDA strategy targeting backward, Dalit, and minority communities, the pressure on the BJP has increased in Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, supporters of Keshav Prasad Maurya have grown hopeful of his potential candidacy, recalling his previous consideration as state president before Yogi Adityanath assumed leadership following the 2017 election victory.
Despite Maurya’s defeat in the 2022 assembly elections, With the BJP’s weakened performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, supporters of Maurya have intensified their efforts. Maurya’s name is now being considered for leadership roles at both the state and national levels. However, to maintain stability and avoid giving leverage to the Opposition, Yogi Adityanath is likely to continue as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP faces a challenge in identifying a suitable alternative to Yogi in Uttar Pradesh. Sources indicate strong backing for Yogi Adityanath from both the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Therefore, Yogi will remain the CM. There will be a reshuffle in the organisation and the cabinet. It remains to be seen whether it will happen now or after the elections of three states to be held this year.