Just a year remains before Uttar Pradesh dives into a major electoral battle. Yet the groundwork has already begun. In anticipation of the 2027 elections, Narendra Modi is strategizing under the 'New UP' banner. On Monday evening, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with Home Minister Amit Shah. This marks Yogi Adityanath’s fourth meeting in this series. He met with the Prime Minister in the morning, followed by meetings with BJP President J.P. Nadda and Executive President Nitin Naveen, and later with Home Minister Amit Shah.
With a focus on strict law enforcement, instilling fear among criminals, ensuring public safety, and advancing road connectivity amidst chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Sanatan Ki Jai', Yogi Adityanath is committed to securing victory in 2027. Aligned with this mission, Yogi Adityanath headed to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Modi, carrying a replica of the Ram Temple. With the Ram Temple completed, the religious flag has been raised. The question remains, can Modi and Yogi together hoist the victory flag in Uttar Pradesh by 2027, now with only a year remaining for the election?
Yogi Adityanath met the Prime Minister with a model of the grand Ram Temple crafted with pink meenakari. This silver model was made by an artist from Varanasi. After their meeting, Yogi Adityanath expressed, 'By meeting the Prime Minister, I received guidance. Your leadership perpetually infuses fresh energy into the development journey of the 'New Uttar Pradesh'. I am deeply thankful for your precious time.'
This emphasis on accelerating the development journey of New Uttar Pradesh is crucial. Last month, when Yogi Adityanath delivered a political attack in the assembly using two examples, Akhilesh Yadav targeted, subtly accusing without labeling, pointing out friction in the Delhi-Lucknow battle.
Following Yogi Adityanath's meeting with the Prime Minister, it becomes evident that they have commenced devising UP’s strategy with the statement: 'Your guidance breathes new energy into UP's development journey'.
What Would BJP's New Uttar Pradesh Look Like?
Under Narendra Modi’s leadership alongside Yogi Adityanath, BJP envisions the 'New Uttar Pradesh' for 2027. Three main elements emerge: Development of religion, such as completing the Ram Temple and preparing for grand Hindu conferences; Infrastructure strides with the initiation of Jewar Airport and Ganga Expressway. CM Yogi Adityanath seeks the Prime Minister’s time for several programs, inclusive of large-scale projects like Jewar Airport and Ganga Expressway. Thirdly, a power-structure balance by selecting cabinet members based on caste-area considerations to potentially stabilize UP.
Currently, Uttar Pradesh has 54 ministers with six positions vacant. However, when the cabinet expands, it won’t merely fill six positions. Changes might carry extensive messaging, balancing caste and region, sending strategic signals to Brahmins, Dalits, and OBC groups. Given the Eastern region’s dominance from the Chief Minister to the BJP President, the party’s efforts also aim to gain favor in the West.
Special Focus on Law and Order
'In the 21st-century new India, New Uttar Pradesh,' when these terms are used by the Prime Minister, Yogi Adityanath’s primary focus is on law and order enforcement. For the 'New Uttar Pradesh', four approaches are being followed: instilling fear among criminals, striking illegal encroachments, countering riots, and addressing voter fraud. Evidence of these efforts was visible recently when within 24 hours, police liberated a soldier’s sick daughter’s home from encroachers.
Similarly, after a notorious criminal was killed in an encounter in Sultanpur, families relieved from the fear of criminals distributed sweets. These instances demonstrate that in Uttar Pradesh, relying on robust law enforcement, BJP aims to unfurl the 'New UP' slogan in the 2027 elections.
The upcoming Panchayat elections also demand attention. Speculations suggest the cabinet expansion might align with Makar Sankranti or happen around the Panchayat elections. If the Panchayat elections are postponed, cabinet expansion might occur near Holi. With only a year remaining, new faces require at least a year to align with the government's roadmap.
