18 Jul. 24: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, known as “Bulldozer Baba” for his tough approach against ‘offenders’, is facing internal dissent within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A coordinated effort by a faction of Other Backward Class (OBC) leaders, both inside and outside the party, has surfaced, indicating discontent with his leadership, seemingly backed by the BJP’s central leadership in Delhi.
This faction’s grievances intensified following the BJP’s disappointing performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP secured only 33 out of 80 seats, a significant drop from the 62 seats it won in 2019. The dissatisfaction centers on Adityanath’s governance style, which critics argue sidelines party workers and relies heavily on loyal bureaucrats and police officers.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, a prominent OBC leader, publicly emphasized the supremacy of the party organization over the government. His remarks, delivered at a BJP state working committee meeting, were seen as a direct challenge to Adityanath’s leadership. Maurya has been vocal about the need to address the dissatisfaction among party cadres and non-Yadav OBC communities, blaming their desertion for the BJP’s electoral losses, as per a report by The Telegraph India.
The anti-Adityanath sentiment was further fueled by NDA partner Apna Dal’s leader, Anupriya Patel, who criticized the state government’s recruitment practices, alleging that reserved seats were being wrongfully declared “unreserved.” Patel’s comments have been interpreted as part of a broader strategy to undermine Adityanath.
In another blow to Adityanath, Sanjay Nishad, leader of BJP ally NISHAD party, cited the misuse of bulldozers against the poor as a reason for the BJP’s electoral setbacks. Nishad argued that Adityanath’s approach has alienated impoverished communities, contributing to the party’s loss of seats.
These coordinated attacks have led to speculation that the BJP’s central leadership might consider replacing Adityanath with an OBC leader to regain the support of the disaffected voter base. With by-elections approaching, potential organizational changes in Uttar Pradesh are anticipated.
This internal strife within the BJP highlights the ongoing power struggle and the challenges the party faces in maintaining unity ahead of future elections.
