UP BJP Leadership Warns Against Caste-Based Grouping, Reinforces Inclusive Party Line Ahead of 2027 Polls

Lucknow, December 27: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership in Uttar Pradesh has drawn a clear line against caste-based assertion within the party, sending a strong message to its legislators to maintain discipline and uphold the organisation’s inclusive political identity. The move comes as the party prepares for the crucial 2027 assembly elections and seeks to prevent internal divisions that could weaken its social coalition. The warning was issued by newly appointed Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary after reports emerged of caste-based meetings being held by party legislators. The immediate trigger was a closed-door gathering of more than 50 BJP Brahmin MLAs, held earlier this week in the name of a private feast at an MLA’s residence in Gomti Nagar during the winter session of the state assembly. This meeting followed a similar gathering of around 50 BJP Thakur legislators during the monsoon session in August. Party leaders said the leadership views such meetings with concern, fearing that unchecked caste mobilisation within the party could turn into organised pressure groups. According to a senior BJP leader, these developments risk distorting the party’s political messaging, which is aimed at moving beyond narrow caste loyalties and building a broad-based consensus. In a press release issued by the party’s media cell on Thursday evening, Chaudhary expressed strong displeasure over caste-based gatherings, though he did not name any specific meeting. He made it clear that such activities would not be tolerated in the future and warned that they would be treated as indiscipline under the party’s constitution. Chaudhary said the BJP does not believe in family-based, class-based or caste-based politics. He stressed that any action that undermines the party’s inclusive ideology goes against its core principles. “If any BJP public representative repeats such activities in future, it will be treated as indiscipline in accordance with the party’s constitution,” he said. The state BJP chief also advised party representatives to avoid creating negative narratives and to work strictly within party discipline. He said the BJP functions on the basis of wide political consensus under strong leadership, and such unity must be preserved at all levels. Chaudhary further asserted that caste-based politics practised by opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh is gradually losing relevance. He said that politics centred on development and nationalism, as exemplified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has gained the trust of people across communities. According to him, the BJP’s strength lies in its ability to rise above caste divisions and focus on governance and national interest. Another senior BJP leader said the unusually firm and detailed nature of Chaudhary’s public statement reflects the leadership’s discomfort with caste-driven political activity within the party. Such actions, the leader said, risk sending a wrong signal to society and could harm the party’s electoral interests at a time when unity is critical. Chaudhary’s message is being seen in the context of the BJP’s long-standing strategy in Uttar Pradesh to project itself as a party with a broad and inclusive social base. Since 2014, the BJP’s electoral success in the state has depended on carefully balancing support from upper castes, non-Yadav Other Backward Classes and non-Jatav Scheduled Castes, creating a coalition that cuts across traditional caste lines. However, cracks in this social coalition became visible during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the Samajwadi Party, campaigning on its PDA formula, won 37 seats in Uttar Pradesh compared to the BJP’s 33. Party insiders believe that internal caste assertion could further weaken this coalition if not addressed firmly. According to BJP sources, some legislators were planning to hold another caste-based meeting on January 5. Whether they proceed with the meeting, postpone it, or step back in response to the warning will indicate how seriously the leadership’s message has been taken. Party observers also say that the response of other caste groups within the BJP will be closely watched. For now, the state leadership has made its position clear: unity, discipline and an inclusive outlook remain central to the BJP’s political approach in Uttar Pradesh as it looks ahead to the next major electoral battle. UP BJP Leadership Warns Against Caste-Based Grouping, Reinforces Inclusive Party Line Ahead of 2027 Polls The Uttar Pradesh BJP leadership has sent a strong message to its leaders and legislators, making it clear that caste-based grouping within the party will not be tolerated. The warning comes as the party prepares for the crucial 2027 Assembly elections and works to protect its inclusive political identity. The message was delivered by newly appointed state BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary after reports of caste-based meetings held by party MLAs came to light. The immediate trigger was a closed-door gathering of over 50 BJP Brahmin legislators at an MLA’s residence in Gomti Nagar during the winter session of the state Assembly. Earlier, during the monsoon session in August, around 50 BJP Thakur MLAs had also held a similar meeting. Party leaders believe that such meetings, if left unchecked, could turn into pressure groups and harm the party’s broader political messaging. In a press release issued by the BJP’s state media cell, Chaudhary expressed strong displeasure over caste-based gatherings and warned that any such activity in the future would be treated as indiscipline under the party’s constitution. Chaudhary stressed that the BJP does not believe in caste, family or class-based politics. He urged party representatives to avoid negative narratives and work within party discipline. According to him, the BJP’s strength lies in its wide political consensus built under strong leadership, which goes beyond caste loyalties. The state BJP chief also said that caste-based politics promoted by the opposition in Uttar Pradesh is losing relevance, as people are increasingly supporting politics based on development and nationalism, as seen under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Senior party leaders say the firm tone of Chaudhary’s statement reflects the leadership’s concern that caste assertion could send the wrong message to society and hurt the party’s electoral interests. The BJP’s success in Uttar Pradesh since 2014 has depended on a carefully balanced social coalition that includes upper castes, non-Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav SCs. Cracks in this coalition were visible in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the Samajwadi Party won more seats than the BJP in the state. With reports of another caste-based meeting planned for January 5, how party leaders respond will show how seriously the warning is taken.