With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on the horizon, the BJP is working on a fresh strategy to counter the Samajwadi Party (SP)’s PDA (Picchde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) formula, which played a key role in the party’s strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP’s unexpected seat loss in UP has forced the party to rethink its caste and community outreach strategy, particularly in its selection of District Presidents, a process that has been delayed for over 50 days. The party is now focusing on increasing representation for Dalits and women, two voter groups that have traditionally backed the BJP but showed signs of defection in the recent general elections.

BJP’s Delayed District President Appointments: A Strategic Shift

On January 5, the BJP began the process of appointing new District Presidents in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. However, despite a deadline set for January 15 by BJP’s National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, the list is still pending due to low representation of women, Dalits, and OBCs.

Why the Delay?

• The central leadership has asked the state unit to revise the list with more Dalit and women candidates.
• Currently, only 5 Dalits and 4 women hold the position of District Presidents in UP.
• BJP now aims to ensure at least 25% Dalits and 25% women in the new list.
• However, due to a shortage of experienced candidates, the party is considering Dalit women leaders to fill both categories.

The BJP believes that District Presidents hold significant influence in UP’s political landscape, sometimes even more than MLAs, as they can influence the administration, police, and local elections.

Why BJP is Prioritizing Dalit & Women Representation

Dalits

Shift to SP-Congress in 2024: Many Dalit voters were swayed by the Opposition’s narrative that BJP would remove reservations if it won 400 seats.

Dalit Underrepresentation in BJP’s State Government: The low number of Dalit ministers in UP has also created dissatisfaction.

Solution: BJP plans to appoint at least 10-12 Dalit District Presidents (up from just 5 currently) to rebuild trust in the community.

UP’s Social Welfare Minister, Aseem Arun, has suggested appointing at least 18 Dalit District Presidents to create a strong pro-Dalit image.

Women

• Women are Emerging as Key Voters: BJP has realized that women in families are becoming major decision-makers in voting choices.
• Women’s Reservation Bill: While the BJP has passed the bill, it will take years to implement due to the census and delimitation process.
• Solution: BJP wants to send a strong message ahead of the 2027 UP elections by appointing more women as District Presidents and giving them more election tickets.

Why District Presidents Matter for BJP’s 2027 Strategy

District Presidents play a crucial role in elections:
They influence local administration (DMs, SSPs).
They play a key role in candidate selection for Assembly and Panchayat elections.
They impact voter mobilization and local narratives.

With Panchayat Elections in 2026 and Assembly Elections in 2027, BJP wants to strengthen its grassroots leadership by ensuring better caste representation in these powerful positions.

Can BJP Win Back Dalit & Women Voters?

BJP’s past success in UP (2014, 2017, 2019, 2022) was built on strong Dalit & Women support.
In 2024, Dalits drifted towards SP-Congress due to fear-mongering on reservations.
If BJP fails to regain these voter groups, 2027 will be a tough battle.

Conclusion

BJP’s delayed District President appointments are part of a larger plan to counter the SP’s PDA formula and regain Dalit & Women support. If the party successfully projects Dalits and Women as key leaders, it could shift the narrative ahead of the 2027 elections.

Will BJP’s new strategy work, or will SP’s PDA model continue to dominate? The coming months will be crucial in shaping UP’s political battleground.