Uttar Pradesh Next BJP President: Who Are In The Race?
The BJP is preparing to appoint a new president for its Uttar Pradesh unit and this move is seen as crucial to counter the Samajwadi Party’s effective PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) strategy that affected BJP’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, according to a report in Money Control.
The BJP might adopt its own ‘P-D’ (Pichhda-Dalit) strategy through this leadership choice, spurces told the publication. Names under consideration include Union Minister BL Verma, Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Baburam Nishad, and MLC Ashok Kataria from the OBC category. From the Scheduled Caste category, former Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria and MLC Vidyasagar Sonkar are prominent figures.
Brahmins Dinesh Sharma and Harish Dwivedi are also being discussed.
BJP’s Strategic Focus on Caste Identity
The BJP has historically used caste identity strategically when appointing state unit heads. For example, Keshav Prasad Maurya, an OBC leader, was appointed in 2016 before the 2017 assembly elections to connect with non-Yadav backward communities. Similarly, Swatantra Dev Singh was chosen in 2019 ahead of the 2022 elections. The current president Bhupendra Chaudhary, a Jat leader, was appointed in 2022 but his term ended earlier this year.
Rajendra Kumar, a senior political analyst, noted that “The PDA formula struck the BJP where it hurts its non-Yadav OBC and non-Jatav Dalit base. The appointment of a new state president is now not merely about organisation but about reclaiming caste coalitions.” He emphasized that this moment requires political re-engineering as the symbolic role of the UP BJP president can have significant electoral consequences.
Leadership Selection Process
A senior BJP leader explained that there isn’t a formal process for selecting the state president; instead, backchannel discussions occur and central leadership makes the final decision. “There is no formal process where the state unit sends an official list. What happens is backchannel discussion, and the central leadership always has the final say,” he stated.
BJP state president Vijay Bahadur Pathak assured that despite interim changes, “The BJP is a cadre-based party, and our structure remains solid.” He added that they will announce a new state president who can effectively lead into upcoming elections like the 2025 panchayat and 2027 assembly elections.
Impact on Future Elections
Political observers agree that this appointment will heavily influence BJP’s future in Uttar Pradesha key electoral battleground with 80 Lok Sabha and 403 Assembly seats. The 2024 Lok Sabha setback has heightened concerns within party ranks about maintaining influence in this pivotal state.
“More than ever before, this is about narrative control,” commented RN Bajpayee, another political analyst. He stressed that “The BJP needs to send a message that it listens, adapts, and responds to the changing social undercurrents.” A leader with grassroots appeal could help recast its image.
The BJP has already appointed new presidents in over 25 of its 37 organizational units across India. All eyes are now on Uttar Pradesh where caste identity plays a unique role in political symbolism and electoral strategy.
