The Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party are set to dominate western Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha polls as they solidify their alliance ahead of the upcoming elections with RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary asking his party workers to support BJP leaders “with open arms”.

This collaboration marks the fourth instance of the two parties joining forces, with Jayant Chaudhary at the helm of the RLD’s charge. The partnership between the RLD and the BJP dates back to 1983 when the Lok Dal, under the leadership of Chaudhary Charan Singh, allied with the BJP for the municipal polls in Delhi, challenging the Congress’ dominance.

RLD national spokesperson Anil Dubey reiterated the symbiotic nature of the alliance, highlighting the shared history of accomplishments of both the parties.

The electoral track record of the RLD underscores the effectiveness of its partnership with the BJP, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. The zenith of this collaboration was witnessed in 2002 when the RLD secured its highest seat tally in the UP assembly elections, winning 14 out of 38 seats it contested in alliance with the BJP under Rajnath Singh’s leadership.

Despite exploring alliances with various parties, including the Congress, the RLD’s most successful partnerships have consistently been with the BJP. The 2009 Lok Sabha polls exemplify this, with the RLD clinching five out of seven seats in alliance with the BJP, further cementing their synergistic bond.

Jayant Chaudhary’s decision to rejoin the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) amid evolving political dynamics, such as the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya and the Narendra Modi government’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna on late Chaudhary Charan Singh, signifies a strategic move aimed at leveraging the RLD’s historical successes.

Formalising the alliance through a post on social media platform X, Jayant Chaudhary concluded discussions with BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, marking the commencement of a new chapter in the enduring partnership between the RLD and the BJP.

The resurgence of this alliance is poised to reshape the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh, with implications extending to the national stage.

As the state prepares for the upcoming elections, all eyes are on the collaborative efforts of the RLD and BJP, poised to make a significant impact on the political discourse, particularly in western Uttar Pradesh.