Buzz in UP for change of guard, BJP chief in Delhi

New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing power struggle and increasing pressure on the BJP high command for a change in leadership in Uttar Pradesh, BJP state unit chief Bhupendra Chaudhary met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. This meeting follows the party's poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Union home minister Amit Shah also held a separate meeting with the Prime Minister later. Following Shah's meeting, Chaudhary met the home minister.

Prime Minister Modi and Chaudhary reportedly had discussions focused on various organisational issues and the party’s preparations for the upcoming bypolls in 10 constituencies, for which the Election Commission is expected to announce dates soon. The BJP's Lok Sabha performance and the lack of coordination between the government and the organisation in Uttar Pradesh were also topics of discussion.

Chaudhary had earlier offered to resign, taking moral responsibility for the party's electoral performance. Despite a faction within the BJP calling for a change in leadership, a majority, including the state cadre, continues to support Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Reports of a rift between Adityanath and his deputy, Keshav Prasad Maurya, have also surfaced.

In Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Governor Anandiben Patel to discuss the upcoming Assembly session, likely to start by the end of the month. Earlier, Adityanath held a meeting with his ministers to strategise for the crucial Assembly bypolls.

The Central leadership has tasked Adityanath with overseeing the bypolls, with state organisation officials coordinating with him. Chaudhary's meeting with Prime Minister Modi lasted nearly an hour, focusing on organisational matters and the party’s performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Chaudhary also met BJP president J.P. Nadda and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday amid reports of growing differences between the CM and his deputy.

Maurya's recent comments at a working committee meeting in Lucknow, stating that “organisation is bigger than the government,” is being perceived as a criticism of the Chief Minister, who had attributed the BJP’s poor performance to “over-confidence.” The BJP's seat count dropped to 33, a loss of 29 seats from 2019. Following his meeting with Nadda, Maurya's office reiterated his statement on social media, fueling speculation about the rift between the CM and the deputy CM.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the BJP, claiming that internal conflicts have destabilised the UP government, causing public distress.

There is speculation of potential changes in the state’s organisation and government, including a possible Cabinet reshuffle, following the Lok Sabha verdict. The upcoming bypolls have become a matter of prestige for the BJP, with the Chief Minister holding regular meetings and receiving feedback. During a meeting with his ministers, Adityanath also reviewed the state’s flood situation, which has affected over 700 villages across 17 districts. Three ministers have been assigned to oversee election preparations in each of the 10 bypoll constituencies.

Finance minister Suresh Khanna, after the meeting, stated, "The meeting today was especially held to discuss the upcoming elections, and we will win all the 10 Assembly seats where byelections are to be held." All Cabinet ministers and ministers of state were present at the meeting, sources said.