BJP has intensified preparations for the 2027 assembly elections. According to the feedback revealed in the meetings of the organization, the party faces challenges like caste politics, anti-incumbency, resentment of workers and social media narrative of the opposition.
Tezzbuzz Desk- Now about six months are left for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. With the aim of returning to power for the third consecutive time, BJP has brought the organization into election mode. The series of tours and meetings of senior party leaders in UP continues. In this sequence, several meetings were held under the leadership of organization general secretary BL Santosh and state in-charge Vinod Tawde. According to sources, the feedback received in these meetings has forced the BJP leadership to rethink the strategy for the upcoming elections.
According to sources, there was a discussion within the party that the UP elections are gradually moving beyond the issue of Hindutva towards caste equations. This is a matter of concern for BJP, because if the electoral environment becomes completely caste based, then the challenge before the party may increase. The organization is busy understanding this change and preparing its strategy accordingly.
Displeasure of workers at booth level
The electoral strength of BJP is considered to be its organization and booth level workers. However, according to sources, complaints of workers' dissatisfaction have come to light from many places. The workers allege that they are not getting enough respect and their problems are not being paid attention to. The party fears that if this resentment is not resolved in time, it may impact the election preparations.
The performance of local MLAs and the public's attitude towards them were also discussed in the meetings. Sources claim that a survey conducted by BJP has revealed strong anti-incumbency against more than 100 MLAs. In such a situation, the party faces the challenge of dealing with the public's resentment towards the opposition as well as its own MLAs. However, this survey has not been independently confirmed.
Questions regarding the new organizational team
Amidst the election preparations, questions are also being raised on the new organizational team of BJP. According to sources, there has been no positive response at the ground level regarding some new officials. There was also discussion regarding the recommendation and selection process in some appointments. The party leadership is now emphasizing on activating new faces in the organization and building better coordination with the workers.
According to sources, in BJP's internal assessment, the UP elections currently appear to be an equal contest. The party considers itself neither far ahead nor far behind the opposition. The next six months are very important for BJP, because if the opposition is successful in strengthening its election narrative then the contest may become more difficult.
Preparation to answer the opposition on social media
Considering the role of social media in elections, BJP has decided to intensify its strategy on this front also. According to sources, the media team of the party and the government have been instructed to respond strongly to the opposition's narrative. Social media is being considered an important medium to reach out to youth and first-time voters.
Issues related to youth are also among the concerns of BJP. Questions related to employment, unemployment and competitive examinations can become a big issue for the opposition in the elections. According to sources, the party wants that before the elections, a clear message about the government's achievements as well as its future plans should reach the public.
Who will be affected by the weakening of BSP?
There has also been a churning within BJP regarding the situation of Bahujan Samaj Party and its vote bank. According to the party's assessment, the SP-Congress alliance may benefit from the weakening of the BSP on many seats. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BSP's vote share could not reach double figures. In such a situation, BJP is trying to consolidate Dalit votes and understand the political equations arising from the weakening of BSP.
During BL Santosh's three-day visit to UP, feedback was taken from the officials, leaders and workers of the organization. Election preparations, performance of MLAs, status of the organization and ground challenges were discussed in the meetings. According to sources, after the visit, the organization general secretary can inform the central leadership about the current situation in UP. After this, a decision regarding change in the party's election strategy is possible.
Emphasis on coordination between organization and government
After the meetings, BL Santosh gave a message to the organization to fight the elections unitedly. The party's emphasis is on entering the electoral fray with better coordination between the government and the organization, activism of workers and collective leadership. For BJP, the 2027 elections are a challenge to form the government in UP for the third consecutive time. In such a situation, the next six months may prove to be decisive in terms of the party's strategy and ground preparations.