NEW DELHI: The elections for state presidents in three key Hindi belt states—Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh—have put the BJP ledership in a tough spot. Despite completing organizational elections in most states for the national president’s selection, the process remains unfinished in these three states, especially in Uttar Pradesh.
The delay in UP is due to various reasons, including by-elections and the Maha Kumbh, which also affected Mandal and District President elections. Currently, Bhupendra Chaudhary, from the Jat community, holds the position. However, with Rashtriya Lok Dal now allied with BJP, the party has strengthened its grip on Jat politics. Additionally, recent events in West UP, like the Sambhal incident, have further bolstered BJP’s support. Given this, the party is unlikely to appoint another Jat leader. BJP is considering appointing a Brahmin as the state president in Uttar Pradesh. However, the challenge is that the current state presidents of the neighboring states, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, are also from the Brahmin community.
The BJP is facing a complex challenge as leadership changes are needed in both Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. In Uttarakhand, the caste equation plays a crucial role. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami belongs to the Rajput community and hails from the Kumaon region. To maintain caste balance, the party is likely to appoint a Brahmin leader from the Garhwal region as the state president. Since Uttarakhand is largely dominated by two influential castes—Rajputs and Brahmins—the BJP is expected to stick to its traditional formula and choose a Brahmin for the leadership role.
Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, the current political structure aligns well with caste dynamics. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav comes from the OBC community, and other key positions are also occupied by leaders from OBC and backward castes. This pattern extends to the central government, where ministers from these communities have been given significant representation. Given this setup, BJP is now considering replacing BD Sharma, the current state president, with a Brahmin leader to maintain the caste balance that has worked in its favor since 2003. However, an Adivasi leader is also being considered for the post, adding another layer of complexity to the decision-making process.