BJP’s Challenges in Uttar Pradesh

In recent times, the BJP has faced several difficulties in Uttar Pradesh. The party has been dealing with discontent among its allies and issues within its own ranks. Two of its allies, Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal (S) and Sanjay Nishad of the NISHAD Party, have voiced concerns about the government recruitment process and the controversial “bulldozer politics.” These issues have arisen amid reports that the government machinery and the party organization are not in sync, contributing to the party’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

Adding to these troubles, the BJP’s NDA allies have criticized the UP Police directives requiring eateries along the route of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra to display the names of their owners to clarify their religion. While the police in Muzaffarnagar have stated that this is voluntary, several allies, including the Jayant Chaudhary-led RLD, the JD(U), and Union Cabinet Minister Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), have spoken out against the order.

With the Budget Session of Parliament approaching, these incidents highlight the need for a convener within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to ensure better coordination and coherence among the coalition’s constituents.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is overseeing the upcoming 10 Assembly bypolls, but the state unit is grappling with internal discord. The absence of Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak from a recent meeting chaired by Adityanath has fueled speculation about rifts within the party. Maurya’s remarks, perceived as critical of Adityanath, have only added to the tension.

AAP Campaign in Haryana

The AAP is set to launch its Assembly election campaign in Haryana on Saturday. Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will present “Kejriwal ki guarantee” at a town hall meeting in Panchkula. She will be joined by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP national general secretary (organization) Sandeep Pathak, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. The AAP plans to contest the elections independently, with both AAP and Congress emphasizing that the INDIA alliance will not feature in the contest.

BJP’s Strategy in Jharkhand

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address an extended state working committee meeting of the Jharkhand BJP on Saturday. As the party gears up for the upcoming Assembly polls, its primary challenge is to regain the tribal votes. Despite winning eight of the 14 parliamentary constituencies in the state, the BJP lost all five seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha elections. The party leaders attribute this to the Opposition’s campaign on saving the Constitution, which resonated strongly among reserved constituencies. Facing a powerful tribal leader in Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the BJP must strategize effectively to address these issues.