Since the results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, political unrest has surged in Uttar Pradesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to secure a majority to form the government on its own, with Uttar Pradesh playing a pivotal role in this outcome.
Once a dominant force in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP slipped to second place in this election, with the Samajwadi Party winning more seats. This outcome has triggered a period of introspection within the BJP, with some pointing fingers at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
OBC and Dalit voters have shifted away from BJP
The election results have heightened BJP's concerns regarding the OBC vote bank, as a significant portion of OBC and Dalit voters have shifted away from the party. Amid this backdrop, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has become notably active, reflecting the worries among OBC leaders within the BJP.
A letter from Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has recently gone viral, in which he sought information from the Personnel Department about the reservation policies for employees recruited through contract and outsourcing. This department falls under the purview of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, leading to speculation that Maurya's inquiry is a veiled critique of the Chief Minister.
In response to Maurya's query, the Information Department of Uttar Pradesh released data indicating that out of 512 outsourced employees, 75 percent (340 employees) belong to the OBC category. Opposition leaders have been flocking to Maurya's office, including MLAs, ministers, MPs, and former MPs, as well as BJP allies Om Prakash Rajbhar and Sanjay Nishad, and Dara Singh Chauhan.
Yogi engaging with OBC leaders from his camp
In retaliation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been engaging with OBC leaders from his camp. Recently, he met with Narendra Kashyap, the backward class minister, as well as Minister of State Ramkesh Nishad and Raniganj MLA Rakesh Kumar Verma.
Anti-Yogi OBC leaders rallying around Maurya
The election results have stirred restlessness among the BJP's OBC leaders, with non-Yadav OBCs drifting away from the party in the Lok Sabha elections. Anti-Yogi OBC leaders are rallying around Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is openly challenging Yogi Adityanath. These leaders blame Yogi for the party's defeat and are striving to salvage their reputations.
Leaders from the Kurmi, Maurya, Rajbhar, and Pasi communities within the BJP are visibly concerned. This voter base, which had consistently supported the BJP since 2014 and contributed to its victories up until 2022, has now distanced itself from the party, impacting the election results. The challenge for the BJP and its leaders now is to regain the support of this crucial voter segment.
BJP has convened a meeting of OBC dept
To address this issue, the BJP has convened a meeting of the OBC department, urging leaders to reconnect with their communities and bring them back into the party fold. However, this task is proving to be challenging.
OBC voters have played a significant role in BJP's victories in two Lok Sabha elections and two assembly elections. However, as the year 2024 approaches, alarm bells are ringing within the party. The non-Yadav OBCs are now looking elsewhere, causing unease among BJP's OBC leaders.
According to a survey by CSDS Lokniti, the BJP secured 79 percent of the upper-caste votes, while the India Alliance garnered only 16 percent. However, the India Alliance took the lead in OBC votes, with OBC voters focusing on issues such as the constitution, reservation, and unemployment.
Maurya harbors his own ambitions
Keshav Prasad Maurya harbors his own ambitions. He was the state president in 2017, and although the election was fought under his leadership, Yogi Adityanath emerged victorious. Despite losing the Sirathu seat in the 2022 elections, Maurya's influence has not waned. He was initially given charge of the PWD department, but his portfolio was later changed, leaving him dissatisfied.
The PWD department has been vacant since Jitin Prasada became a minister at the Centre, but Maurya has not been reinstated to this role. His recent statements about the organization are seen as attempts to pressure the Chief Minister.
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