The BJP and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh are now trying out new combinations and permutations for the 2017 Assembly elections in the state.
The BJP and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh are now trying out new combinations and permutations for the 2017 Assembly elections in the state.
The BJP is eyeing the OBC and dalit vote bank while the Congress is looking towards the upper caste voters for its revival. The Congress has been out of power in Uttar Pradesh for over two-and-a-half decades while the BJP has also completed one-and-a-half decades without power in the state.
A change of state leadership is due in both the parties and the caste factor will play a key role in selecting the new leaders.
The BJP wants an OBC leader to lead the party in UP and if sources are to be believed, party general secretary Swatantra Dev Singh is emerging as a possible choice.
A Kurmi by caste, Mr Singh also has the support of the Sangh Parivar.
“We are keen to win over OBC votes because it will serve two purposes — firstly, we will add to our numbers and secondly, we will dent the Samajwadi Party vote base. The BJP will benefit in both the cases,” said a veteran party leader.
While the BJP is turning “backwards” in its Mission 2017, the Congress is again looking forward towards upper castes to regain the ground in UP.
The party is keen on a Brahmin leader to lead the party in the state and the names doing the rounds include former Union minister Jitin Prasada and former MP Rajesh Misra.
The Congress strategists feel that a Brahmin leader at would wean back upper caste voters to a certain extent.
“In the present scenario, the BSP is focusing on dalits and the BJP and SP are working overtime to consolidate OBCs in the favour. The upper castes — Brahmins, Thakurs, Vaishyas and Kayasthas — are feeling ignored and neglected. The Brahmins’ experience with the BSP has not been good and the Samajwadi Party has no room for upper castes. The BJP has also sidelined Brahmin leaders and is focusing on OBCs,” said a veteran party leader.
