Lucknow: With an eye on the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the BJP has taken a calculated approach by emphasizing backward caste representation in its newly appointed Mandal presidents. Of the 750 Mandal presidents announced in the first phase, more than 45% hail from backward communities. However, the representation of women, Dalits, and Muslims remains notably low, sparking debate about the inclusivity of this organizational restructuring.
The Samajwadi Party’s PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) strategy has posed a significant challenge to BJP’s voter base. To counter this, the BJP has strategically increased backward caste representation in its Mandal presidents. The party’s focus on leaders from communities like Kurmi, Maurya, Saini, Shakya, Kushwaha, and Yadav aims to consolidate backward class support. Among the backward castes, the Kurmi community has been given the highest number of appointments, followed by Maurya and Saini leaders.
Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA formula gained traction post-2022, prompting BJP to recalibrate its approach by appointing 340 Mandal presidents from backward communities out of the announced 750. This marks a clear attempt to secure votes beyond their traditional upper-caste support base.
Despite the push for backward representation, the BJP has not strayed far from its traditional vote bank of upper castes. Brahmins continue to lead the representation, with 117 Mandal presidents, followed by Thakurs (91). In urban Mandals, BJP has strategically placed Vaishya and Brahmin leaders to maintain dominance in areas where these communities hold significant sway.
One glaring omission in the appointments is the lack of Muslim representation. BJP has not appointed a single Muslim Mandal president, sticking to its traditional stance of using the Minority Front to represent the community. Sources within the party suggest that the leadership sees little electoral benefit in appointing Muslims to key organizational roles, as the community has traditionally leaned toward opposition parties.
The BJP had promised 33% reservation for women in its internal positions, but the appointments reflect a different reality. Women are scarcely represented, with no Mandal president appointments in 17 districts, and minimal representation in others. For instance, districts like Sultanpur, Rampur, and Sitapur have just two women Mandal presidents each.
The Dalit representation also remains limited, with only 39 Dalit Mandal presidents across the state. Many districts, including Noida, Shahjahanpur, Azamgarh, and Meerut, have no Dalit Mandal presidents at all. However, Ghazipur leads with five Dalit appointments, followed by Ballia with four.
Traditionally, the Yadav community has been seen as a core voter base for the Samajwadi Party. However, BJP’s inclusion of 11 Yadav Mandal presidents signals its attempt to penetrate this vote bank. Leaders like Asneet Yadav in Etawah’s Saifai and Ajay Yadav in Jaunpur’s Gamiran have been strategically placed to challenge SP’s dominance in Yadav strongholds.
The BJP’s emphasis on caste equations in its organizational appointments is part of a larger strategy to consolidate its voter base ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Senior journalist Anand Rai noted that the party has been working to address a historical imbalance in representation. In 2016, the BJP adopted the OBC formula, which contributed to its landslide victory in the 2017 elections. The current appointments indicate a continuation of this strategy.
As BJP gears up for the 2027 assembly elections, the appointment of a new state president is also on the horizon. Several leaders, including Amarpal Maurya, BL Verma, Prakash Pal, and Vinod Sonkar, are in the running. Sources suggest that the party may opt for a backward or Dalit leader to helm the organization, further signaling its intent to counter the PDA formula effectively.
To ensure smooth organizational elections, BJP conducted two workshops in Lucknow, emphasizing the need for greater Dalit and women representation. Despite this, participation from these groups remains minimal, highlighting the challenges the party faces in achieving inclusivity.
