The uncertainty surrounding the election of the national president in BJP is attributed to the complexities in choosing a new state president in Uttar Pradesh. Until the announcement of new state presidents in Uttar Pradesh and some other states, the coronation of the national president seems delayed.
However, some BJP insiders believe that the elections for the national and state presidents should not be linked, as both processes are independent. Despite this, the party's extra vigilance concerning Uttar Pradesh is evident. Since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party is cautious not to make any decisions that could send a negative message for the 2027 assembly elections.
The Party Risks Not Choosing A Forward Class State President
The biggest challenge for BJP is Akhilesh Yadav's PDA coalition. As a result, the party has refrained from taking the risk of choosing a forward class state president. Akhilesh Yadav is consistently putting pressure on BJP by addressing issues concerning backward and Dalit communities. His approach has complicated leadership selection for the BJP.
There is also pressure on BJP regarding the Dalit vote bank, especially after incidents like the attack on Ramjilal Suman's house and the Karnie Sena brandishing swords in Agra, leaving the party on the defensive. Akhilesh Yadav is daily attacking BJP as the "government of the Thakurs," linking Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s decisions to Thakur dominance. In such an atmosphere, delaying the decision on the state president seems to be a safe option for the party.
Is BJP Searching For An OBC Or Dalit Leader?
According to party sources, BJP is looking for a strong and active OBC or Dalit leader to counter Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA strategy for the 2027 elections. Consultations with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior leader Rajnath Singh have been held on this matter. Suggestions have also been solicited at the organizational level for several names, but the final decision rests with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Among the OBCs, prominent names include Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh and Union Minister BL Verma of the Lodha community. Additionally, Water Power Minister Swatantra Dev Singh (from the Kurmi community), considered Yogi Adityanath's preference, is also in discussion. Dinesh Sharma is noted as Yogi’s choice for the Brahmin face.
Prospects Favor An OBC Leader To Take Charge
Names such as Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and Baburam Nishad from the OBC community are also in discussion. Among the Dalit community, Vidyasagar Sonkar and Vinod Sonkar are under consideration. Notably, BJP is also strategizing on gaining favor among Dalits in the Pasi community. According to internal BJP sources, there is a strong likelihood that the position of state president will be awarded to an OBC leader this time.
