The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 75 out of Uttar Pradesh's 80 seats. It has announced candidates for 73 but kept cards close to its chest for two. The fifth-phase polling set for May 20 awaits those seats; Raebareli and Kaiserganj are of particular interest. Incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from Kaiserganj is eying a win but whether he'll be endorsed again by the party is under suspense.
Speculations are rife that the BJP may not be inclined to soften its stance and could potentially cut ties with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Amidst this uncertainty, Brij Bhushan made a statement, asserting, "The party leadership is well aware of BJP's strength in this constituency. Even if a candidate is declared one day before the elections, victory is assured. I'm a contender for the ticket, but the ultimate decision rests with the party. The party will determine the candidate."
Is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh showing flexibility or defiance?
Brij Bhushan's statement has political pundits reading between the lines, sensing both a softening and a subtle display of strength. His claim that the leadership knows the party's strength here implies a message of his own formidable stature. At the same time, he signifies a conciliatory approach by leaving the final decision to the party leadership, yet without committing to accept it unconditionally.
There's buzz that BJP may consider fielding his wife or son from the Kaiserganj seat instead of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who, being a former President of the Wrestling Federation of India, seems unwilling to step aside. It's debated whether this is mere gossip or grounded in truth, but it's clear that he's not ready to retreat without a fight. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is counted among the most influential Rajput leaders in Purvanchal, with a firm grip on his community's vote bank. With current concerns of Rajput voters' discontent with BJP, sidelining a leader like Brij Bhushan could be a challenging move for the party.
Brij Bhushan's electoral history might also work in his favor. Originally a stronghold of Samajwadi Party (SP), Brij Bhushan contested from Kaiserganj in 2009 on an SP ticket and won. Before the 2014 elections, he joined the BJP. His winning margin has increased from one election to the next—clear evidence of growing support.
Why sidelining Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh isn't straightforward for BJP
Discussions also orbit the fact that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's influence extends beyond Kaiserganj; he has been MP from Gonda and Balrampur and commands respect in Ayodhya, Gonda and Shravasti. His reputation among Purvanchal's Rajput voters suggests that the BJP can't overlook his political weight easily.
Kaiserganj's political landscape and caste dynamics also play a significant role. The constituency is composed of five Assembly seats—three from Gonda and two from Bahraich district. The parts of Gonda within this constituency are Brahmin-dominated, while the Bahraich region is home to a majority of Rajput voters. While Brahmins are considered core BJP supporters, Rajputs align with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Plus, he also enjoys base support among OBC voters.
