Change of guard likely for UP BJP

The Uttar Pradesh BJP unit is setting for an overhaul as there are indication of change of guards with present incumbent Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey could be replaced by either a dalit or a backward caste leader setting the caste equation straight to counter SP-BSP combination.

A highly placed source said that Dr Pandey, who is MP from Chandauli, could be given a gubernatorial assignment and the announcement could be made by the end of this month.

A senior leader told The Pioneer here on Sunday that during party’s national president Amit Shah’s visit to Mirzapur early this month it was discussed how to counter BSP-SP alliance in the 2019 elections. One suggestion was to handover the baton to the backward caste or a dalit face.

One name that is taking round is that of Transport Minister Swatantra Deo Singh, who was earlier general secretary of the party but later joined BJP cabinet as Minister of State (independent Charge), as president’s post. He belongs to the backward community as well as to Bundelkhand region, which is the focus area of Union and state governments.

Another reason why party leadership wants to change Mahendra Nath pandey is because he has failed to give a new direction to the party. The BJP lost four major elections under his leadership. This includes parliamentary elections of Gorakhpur, Pholpoor, Kairana and assembly election Nurpor. The only election which the party won under Pandey’s leadership was that of Sikandara.

“This is true that Pandey has failed to galvanise workers as per the liking of Amit Shah. One thinking was to bring Keshav Prasad Maurya back as State party president probably he has refused and has preferred to stay as Deputy Chief Minister in Yogi government,” the leader confided to this reporter.

The leadership has decided to give Gubernatorial assignment to Dr Pandey because he is the Brahmin face of the party. Sources say he could be made Governor of Sikkim.