Political tussle in UP escalates: BJP allies rally behind Deputy CM Keshav Maurya

Uttar Pradesh deputy CM Keshav Maurya (Courtesy: PTI photo)

Political tensions in Uttar Pradesh are intensifying, with signs of factionalism emerging. BJP allies and government ministers have been demonstrating their support for Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya, signaling a show of strength amidst the ongoing power struggle between the government and the party organization.

Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad met with Maurya on July 23, marking his second meeting in 10 days. Maurya shared two photos of their meeting on social media platform X, captioning them as a courtesy visit to Nishad Party President Dr. Sanjay Nishad, where various issues were discussed. This meeting is seen as part of a broader mobilization effort within political circles.

लखनऊ के सात कालिदास मार्ग स्थित कैंप कार्यालय पर मा0 कैबिनेट मंत्री एवं निषाद पार्टी के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष डॉ. संजय निषाद जी एवं निषाद पार्टी के प्रदेश अध्यक्ष श्री रविंद्र मणि निषाद जी से शिष्टाचार भेंटकर विभिन्न विषयों पर वार्ता की।@nishadparty4u @nishadparty4u pic.twitter.com/NvFGAlvKPE

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

— Keshav Prasad Maurya (@kpmaurya1) July 23, 2024

On Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a review meeting with officials in Azamgarh, inviting Panchayati Raj minister and Sudeldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar. However, Rajbhar did not attend the meeting and instead met with Deputy CM Keshav Maurya in Lucknow that evening.

A senior BJP leader, speaking anonymously, highlighted a prevailing perception of a Thakur-dominated government in UP, suggesting this image needs to be corrected to avoid challenges in upcoming elections. The ongoing tussle is being viewed as part of preparations to position Maurya as the prominent OBC face in the state.

BJP allies in UP have been vocal against the Yogi government, with national presidents writing letters and making public statements. Political experts suggest that following the Lok Sabha election defeat, tensions have surfaced within both the central and state governments. Sources indicate that the BJP leadership is quietly supporting Maurya to counter the opposition's PDA (backward, Dalit, and minority) strategy.

Allies criticize Yogi government

On June 27, Apna Dal chief Anupriya Patel accused the Yogi government of discriminating in the OBC reservation. She claimed that Dalits were being unfairly denied jobs, causing widespread anger, and called for an end to this practice.

Sanjay Nishad, president of the Nishad Party, questioned the effectiveness of CM Yogi's bulldozer policy, expressing concerns about the impact of demolishing people's homes on their voting behavior. He also criticized the government on OBC reservation issues.

RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary opposed the government's directive to display shopkeepers' names on the Kanwar Yatra route, arguing that pilgrims do not select services based on caste or religion and urging the government to retract the decision.

SBSP chief OP Rajbhar supported Maurya's assertion that the organization is more important than the government, emphasizing the foundational role of workers in both the party and governance.

Keshav Maurya's position and grievances:

Keshav Maurya, who was the BJP's state president during the 2017 UP assembly elections, saw the party achieve significant success but missed out on the Chief Minister position, which went to Yogi Adityanath. Maurya had to settle for the Deputy CM role. Since then, reports of discord between Maurya and Yogi have surfaced frequently.

In the 2022 assembly elections, Maurya lost his Sirathu seat, further weakening his standing. However, following the Lok Sabha elections, Yogi's influence within the party is perceived to be waning, reigniting discussions of differences between the two leaders.

On July 14, Maurya stirred political waters by stating at a state executive committee meeting that the organization is greater than the government, reaffirming his commitment to party workers above his official position. This echoed a similar statement he made two years ago, shortly after losing his assembly seat, indicating his longstanding dissatisfaction with the current leadership dynamics.

The political landscape in Uttar Pradesh is marked by a growing divide between the Yogi Adityanath government and its allies, who are increasingly rallying behind Keshav Maurya. As the tussle continues, the implications for the upcoming elections and the internal balance of power within the BJP remain to be seen.