In a meeting that could have far-reaching implications for Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a two-and-a-half-hour closed-door discussion in Mathura late on Tuesday night. This is their first significant interaction since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, sparking widespread political speculation as the state prepares for crucial by-elections on nine Assembly seats.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the meeting was not limited to by-election preparations. Instead, the dialogue extended to strategising for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Bhagwat reportedly stressed the need for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to balance its traditional Hindutva agenda with a renewed focus on development. This dual emphasis is seen as an effort to broaden the party’s appeal among voters who may have become disillusioned with the BJP’s recent performance.

“The message from the RSS is clear: while Hindutva remains a key element, addressing developmental needs and showcasing tangible progress must become central to the campaign,” a source close to the developments revealed. This strategic shift comes as the BJP faces a formidable challenge from the alliance between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, now operating under the INDIA Bloc coalition banner.

The meeting’s timing is significant, considering past speculations about tensions between the RSS and the BJP’s top leadership. About four months ago, Bhagwat and Yogi were both present in Gorakhpur for nearly 26 hours, yet they did not meet despite being just 12 kilometres apart.

This lack of interaction led to widespread rumours of dissatisfaction within the Sangh regarding the BJP’s leadership and strategies in Uttar Pradesh. Reports at the time suggested that the Sangh was unhappy with certain decisions taken by the BJP, especially in the context of electoral strategies during the Lok Sabha elections.

Now, with this recent meeting, there is a sense that both sides are realigning their priorities and strategies, with the aim of mending perceived rifts. Political analysts view this Mathura meeting as an attempt to reset their approach to the state’s political dynamics, particularly ahead of the by-elections.

The meeting’s importance is further highlighted by reports that suggested the RSS showed a lack of interest during the last Lok Sabha elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, which many believe contributed to the BJP’s defeat. The SP-Congress alliance secured 43 out of the 80 seats in the state, marking the BJP’s most significant setback in the last decade. The RSS’s relatively muted presence during that period was seen as a factor that weakened the BJP’s grassroots mobilisation efforts, impacting its voter outreach.

In contrast, the recent Assembly elections in Haryana saw the RSS playing an active role, which was widely credited with bolstering the BJP’s performance in that state. The active engagement of the Sangh is now expected to be replicated in Uttar Pradesh, especially with the BJP facing a challenging by-election scenario.

The Yogi-Bhagwat meeting is seen by many as the beginning of a new political chapter in Uttar Pradesh, with the potential to reshape the BJP’s future trajectory in the state. With the RSS expected to support the BJP through grassroots campaigns and voter outreach efforts, this meeting could signal a more cohesive and strategic partnership between the two entities.

The BJP, having faced a major setback in the Lok Sabha polls, is now looking to regain its footing against the SP-Congress alliance. The party is yet to announce its candidates for the by-elections, but insiders suggest that a robust strategy is being crafted, with inputs from the Sangh’s leadership. The aim is to counter the SP’s influence, which has already fielded candidates on seven out of the nine seats up for grabs.

As the by-elections approach, political observers will be closely monitoring the impact of the Yogi-Bhagwat meeting. With the RSS’s backing and a renewed focus on development, the BJP hopes to leverage this collaboration to regain lost ground and lay a solid foundation for the 2027 Assembly elections. The outcome of these by-elections will likely serve as an indicator of whether this recalibrated strategy is successful, and how it may shape the future of Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape.