“Yogi Under Fire: Modi and Shah Intervene in BJP’s UP Analysis”

The BJP is facing internal strife following a poor performance in the recent Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections. A 15-page report by the party’s state unit blames administrative high-handedness and repeated paper leaks for the setback, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the centre of the controversy.

At a recent UP BJP Executive Committee meeting, CM Adityanath and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya presented conflicting views on the reasons for the loss. Adityanath cited overconfidence, while Maurya emphasised the importance of respecting party workers. This public discord highlights a growing rift within the party.

Maurya, a prominent OBC leader, has criticised Adityanath’s administrative approach for alienating party workers and voters. The report also notes an 8% drop in BJP’s vote share across the state, urging central intervention to prevent caste-based electoral battles.

In response, BJP leaders, including JP Nadda, Amit Shah, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have held meetings with key state figures. The focus is now on presenting a united front for the upcoming Assembly by-elections in 10 seats. Rumours of a leadership change have been dismissed, but an organisational overhaul may see Maurya or another OBC leader replace the current state president.

The BJP’s immediate goal is to address the drift of non-Yadav OBC and Dalit voters towards the opposition and secure victory in the by-elections to regain momentum ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.