Lucknow. There is going to be a big change in the organizational structure of Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh. The long wait for a new state president may end this week. According to the information received, the name of the new state president can be announced on December 12. It is also being told that a non-Yadav OBC can be appointed as the new state president. BL Verma’s name is considered to be at the forefront in this race.
Why attention to OBC?
Sources say that the face of OBC community can be given priority in the selection of the new state president. This step is being taken to respond to the PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) strategy of the opposition parties, especially the Samajwadi Party. After the setback faced by BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, efforts are being made to strengthen the caste equations in the organization. OBC voters play a decisive role in Uttar Pradesh, hence BJP can make president from this community.
Who is leading in the race?
Union Minister of State BL Verma’s name is most discussed in the race for state president. Verma, who belongs to the Lodh community, is considered the main OBC face of the party. Apart from Verma, who was a former Union Minister, among other possible names, names of OBC leaders like Swatantra Dev Singh (Jal Shakti Minister), Amarpal Maurya (Rajya Sabha MP) and Dharampal Singh are also coming up. However, the final decision will be taken only by the central leadership.
Change will strengthen the organization
Another party leader, on the condition of anonymity, said, “After the appointment of presidents of more than 70 district units, the state level elections are being held on time. This change will further strengthen the organization, especially in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections.” BJP has recently declared the names of district presidents of 70 out of 98 organizational districts, which showed dominance of OBC and Brahmin communities. In Lucknow metropolis, Anand Dwivedi has been made the metropolitan president, while in other districts also new faces were given a chance.
Opportunity for a new face
Current state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, who himself belongs to the OBC (Jat) community, is considered close to the central leadership. The possibility of his reappointment was also being expressed, but the discussion is dominant about choosing a new face to bring freshness in the organization. Political analysts believe that this decision will help BJP balance the caste equations in western UP, where efforts for Jat integration have already been made through the Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance.
