BJP candidates in UP blame sabotage and betrayal for their defeats

BJP's dismal Lok Sabha performance sparks accusations of betrayal and sabotage within the party, prompting a comprehensive review and internal strife as leaders point fingers

The state BJP office in Lucknow is abuzz with accusations of betrayal and sabotage following the party's dismal performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Senior leaders, particularly candidates and constituency in-charges, allege that local leaders and legislators conspired to ensure the party's defeat.

More than a dozen BJP candidates who lost have submitted detailed reports to the party high command, accusing fellow party members of sabotage.

A senior party leader confirmed that these candidates identified internal betrayal as the primary reason for their defeat, pointing fingers at colleagues and local leaders for undermining the party’s performance.

The rift between Sanjeev Baliyan and former BJP MLA Sangeet Som, which came out in the public, highlights the ongoing internal strife.

Former Union Minister Baliyan, who lost in Muzaffarnagar, accused Som of supporting the SP candidate. Som, in turn, defended himself, stating he was responsible for Sardhana, where the BJP did not lose. "Balyan faced defeats in his constituencies of Budhana and Charthawal. Even in the urban assembly seat, where the BJP traditionally led by 70,000 votes, the margin was reduced to a mere 800 votes. Why this happened, only Balyan can explain,” Som remarked.

He also refuted allegations of aiding the SP, saying that the SP had once imprisoned him.

In response to these accusations, the party leadership has asked candidates to pinpoint and address the reasons for their losses. Sources indicate that the BJP high command has been inundated with reports of infighting and sabotage, prompting a comprehensive review process.

A closed-door session was held to discuss these grievances. The high command has tasked the state organization with identifying the saboteurs and has requested detailed reports from every booth in the state.

Sakshi Maharaj, who secured his third consecutive win in Unnao, attributed his reduced victory margin to internal betrayal. Former Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, who lost in Fatehpur, also cited sabotage within the party as the reason for her defeat. Anupriya Patel’s supporters, celebrating her third win in Mirzapur, claimed that BJP workers covertly opposed her campaign. Kaushal Kishore, who was defeated in Mohanlalganj, accused party workers of undermining his efforts, a sentiment echoed by candidates across various constituencies.

Many candidates have accused local MLAs and party officials of inadequate support. Specific seats, including Shravasti, Lalganj, and Ghaziabad, witnessed severe allegations of internal sabotage.

Dissatisfaction with the ticket distribution process has also been cited as a reason for the defeat. “There was dissatisfaction over ticket distribution. Many MPs were nominated despite local opposition, which resulted in disengaged and disillusioned party workers who chose not to support the candidates actively,” a party leader explained.

The loss of seven Union Ministers, including Smriti Irani, was particularly notable. The fallout has been severe, with prominent leaders publicly criticizing the party’s leadership and organizational decisions.

As the BJP grapples with its internal challenges, the focus will be on addressing the grievances that have surfaced in the wake of their electoral defeat and healing the divisions within the party.