BJP UP core group discusses 2027 polls, organisational and governance campaigns

The BJP's Uttar Pradesh core group met for more than two hours on Friday to discuss preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections and the party's upcoming organisational and governance campaigns.

The meeting was held at the BJP's state headquarters and was attended by BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh, Uttar Pradesh in-charge Vinod Tawde, co-in-charge Jagdish Patel, state president and Union minister of state Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chaudhary said the leaders discussed preparations for the 2027 elections as well as the Seva Sankalp (service resolution) and Sushasan (good governance) campaigns, which will begin on September 17, the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Since I became the state president only recently, we also discussed the state working committee, whose meeting we have to hold very soon," he said.

Chaudhary said the meeting also focused on the party's election preparedness and the strategy it should follow in the months ahead.

"There was also a discussion from the election perspective about how our preparations are progressing and in which direction we should work in the coming elections," he said.

The meeting is considered significant as Santhosh, who oversees the BJP's national organisation, was in Lucknow, while Tawde visited the state capital for the second time in a week.

According to party sources, the leaders also discussed ways to communicate the benefits of welfare schemes implemented by the Centre and the state government to the people.

The concerns and needs of women and young people, including Gen Z, as well as initiatives aimed at them, were also discussed, the sources said.

Several BJP office-bearers and workers began arriving at the party headquarters from Friday afternoon ahead of the meeting.

Asked about Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav's repeated claim that the SP would form the government in Uttar Pradesh after the 2027 elections, Chaudhary said, "I cannot stop Mungeri Lal from dreaming beautiful dreams."

Earlier on Friday, BJP Uttar Pradesh chief spokesperson Dinesh Pratap Singh said the party was organisation- and cadre-based and that everyone would be given importance, with all issues to be discussed during the meeting.

He said the BJP continued to work for public service irrespective of elections and that such meetings helped energise the organisation ahead of the polls.

"Such meetings are often held in our party whenever senior leadership visits the state, unlike other parties which get active only ahead of elections," he added.

Targeting the opposition, particularly the Samajwadi Party, Singh said, "The SP and Congress are playing the role of Vikram and Betaal. Congress cannot even win Amethi and Rae Bareli by riding on the SP's shoulders."

He alleged that the SP had been responsible for the highest number of atrocities against Dalits during its tenure.

"They can only hold press conferences, post on social media and create drama. That is their only job," he said.  (with inputs from PTI)