Amid Talk of UP BJP Rift, Yogi Adityanath Takes Charge of Assembly Bypoll Preparations
Chief Minister’s Direct Involvement
In the wake of a disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken the reins for the upcoming Assembly bypolls. With ten bypolls on the horizon due to MLAs being elected to Parliament, Adityanath is ensuring his administration is proactive in addressing constituents’ concerns and organizing effective campaigns.
Strategy and Assignments
Despite no official election dates being announced, Adityanath held a meeting at his residence in Lucknow on Wednesday. Notably absent were Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, as well as senior BJP organizational leaders. Sources within the BJP explained that until dates are set, the focus remains on governance and resolving local issues, which is why only government ministers attended the meeting.
Ministers were assigned to specific constituencies to address grievances, improve booth management, and prepare for the elections. This groundwork aims to counter negative publicity through active intervention.
Internal Tensions and Statements
The meeting coincided with Maurya reiterating his stance that the party organization is more significant than the government, a comment perceived as a critique of Adityanath’s management style. These remarks highlight ongoing internal tensions within the UP BJP.
Key Focus Areas
The BJP is particularly focused on the Milkipur constituency, part of the Faizabad district, which they lost to the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the Lok Sabha polls. Winning this seat back is seen as crucial to recovering from the setback in Faizabad, a district that includes the significant city of Ayodhya. Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and Minister of State for Health Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh have been tasked with securing this constituency.
Coalition Dynamics
Adityanath is also coordinating with the BJP’s alliance partners, the NISHAD Party and Apna Dal (Soneylal). NISHAD Party leader Sanjay Nishad has recently voiced concerns about government actions affecting the poor, aligning with Maurya’s statements about the party’s importance. Apna Dal (S) leader Anupriya Patel’s husband, Ashish Singh Patel, participated in the meeting, underscoring the coalition’s collaborative approach. Anupriya Patel recently raised concerns about the treatment of reserved seats in government recruitment, reflecting broader worries about shifting voter bases among Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The Seats in Play
The ten Assembly seats facing bypolls are currently divided among various parties: five held by the SP, three by the BJP, and one each by the NISHAD Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). The upcoming bypolls are crucial for the BJP to strengthen its position and address internal dissent.
Conclusion
As Yogi Adityanath takes a hands-on approach to the Assembly bypoll preparations, the focus is on resolving local issues, strengthening the party’s grassroots presence, and ensuring a robust strategy to regain lost ground. The collaboration between the BJP and its allies will be pivotal in navigating the political landscape and addressing voter concerns in Uttar Pradesh.
