Jan Man: What is BJP's strategy in Uttar Pradesh?

New Delhi: In Uttar Pradesh, Rajya Sabha results were declared and next year would be Assembly elections. But they are just a prelude to the finale that is 2019 general elections. Elections in Uttar Pradesh would tell whether PM Narendra Modi is popular and Amit Shah’s strategy worked or not. In 2014 general elections, people voted for BJP. Now, BJP thinks if they could save that support base, they would win 2019 elections also. In BJP, many district chiefs and state chiefs are from backward classes. This is a bid to woo the backward vote bank. BJP thinks the rest of the people who are disenchanted with Samajwadi Party would come themselves. The big question, however, is whether Brahmin votes would get divided due to Congress’ game? Would Mayawati let BJP eat away her Dalit vote bank? Would BJP field a chief ministerial candidate to face on Mayawati and Akhilesh? Questions are large in number and their answer is simple- a lot of campaigning. PM Modi would be addressing a huge number of rallies in the state. Amit Shah would leave no stones unturned to win Uttar Pradesh. BJP’s national executive meeting is construed as the start to the poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh. The big question is, whether the party announces its chief ministerial candidate or not? In political circles, discussion on the names of Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath is on. However, BJP leadership has not taken a decision in this regard. BJP would keep a keen eye on caste equations. In UP, 27 per cent are OBC voters, 9 per cent Yadav voters alone in OBCs. 21 per cent Dalit voters and 19 per cent Muslim voters are there. Forward castes votes are 24 per cent. Out of which, 9 per cent are Brahmins and 7 per cent are Rajpoots. BJP would try to push forward leaders from all these castes and try to fetch votes. Rajnath Singh would be entrusted with attracting forward castes voters. Keshav Prasad Maurya would bring OBC voters.