Amid reports of internal discord among its leaders, the BJP unit of Uttar Pradesh has submitted a comprehensive report to the party’s top brass, detailing the reasons behind its Lok Sabha election defeat. The report points to issues such as paper leaks, the hiring of contractual workers for government jobs, and the alleged high-handedness of the state administration, which have reportedly led to dissatisfaction among party workers.
Following the electoral victory of the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, which secured 43 out of the state’s 80 Lok Sabha seats compared to the NDA’s 36 (down from 64 in 2019), the UP BJP’s 15-page analysis highlights campaign shortcomings.
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The NDTV quoted sources who indicated that feedback from nearly 40,000 people was collected to assess the party’s performance, with specific scrutiny on key constituencies like Ayodhya and Amethi.
The report underscores an 8 percent decline in the BJP’s vote share across Uttar Pradesh and calls on the central leadership to take decisive action to prevent future elections from becoming contests between advantaged and disadvantaged groups.
Internal Strife and Campaign Missteps
UP BJP President Bhupendra Chaudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya recently met with senior party leaders to discuss the election results. Further discussions with leaders from Uttar Pradesh are planned as part of a broader strategy revision following the party’s setbacks.
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Speculation regarding internal strife intensified after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attributed the electoral reverses to “over-confidence,” a statement rebutted by his deputy Keshav Maurya, who emphasized that the party and the organization are bigger than individuals.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The state unit’s report identifies six primary reasons for the BJP’s subdued performance:
- Perceived administrative high-handedness
- Discontent among party workers
- Frequent paper leaks
- Employment of contractual workers in government positions
- The opposition’s effective narrative against the party’s stance on reservations
- Issues like the Old Pension Scheme, Agniveer, and paper leaks resonating with specific voter demographics
Community Support Shifts
The report notes shifts in electoral support, citing diminished backing from the Kurmi and Maurya communities and a reduction in Dalit votes. It also highlights that the BSP’s vote share decreased by 10 percent, while the Congress improved its standing in certain regions.
BJP President JP Nadda, after attending a state executive meeting in Lucknow, consulted with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Bhupendra Chaudhary, and other key leaders to address these issues systematically. The central leadership has instructed state leaders to resolve their differences and concentrate on the upcoming by-elections for 10 assembly seats.
Supporters of Yogi Adityanath argue that the chief minister’s command over the state’s administration and his focus on stringent law and order helped the BJP maintain its grip on the state.
However, the report indicates a need for better candidate selection and improved grassroots engagement to avoid similar setbacks in future elections. Senior party leaders are expected to undertake a statewide tour to connect with voters and mitigate the damage ahead of the next electoral challenge.
