BJP allies SBSP, Nishad Party and Apna Dal (S) will go alone in Uttar Pradesh panchayat elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could encounter difficulties ahead of Uttar Pradesh’s proposed three-tier panchayat elections next year, as key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners have announced their intention to contest independently. Three influential allies Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), Nishad Party, and Apna Dal (S) have decided to go solo, raising concerns for the BJP given these parties’ significant influence among the state’s OBC communities.

SBSP President Om Prakash Rajbhar has confirmed that his party will contest alone, and that Varanasi will be the centre of their election strategy. A crucial meeting scheduled for July 5 in Sarnath will focus on district-level candidate selection and assigning responsibilities across 40 sectors. District president Umesh Rajbhar revealed that applications have begun under the supervision of state in-charges Patiram Rajbhar and Lallan Rajbhar, with Om Prakash Rajbhar planning multiple election rallies in August.

Minister Sanjay Nishad has declared his party’s independent approach but has also said that the Nishad Party will support the BJP for positions like District Panchayat President and Block Pramukh. Emphasising community representation, he stated their mission involves bringing ‘the poor, youth and exploited class of the village’ into politics, for which panchayat elections are the first step.

Union Minister Anupriya Patel has also confirmed that Apna Dal (S) is preparing to contest the panchayat polls independently, clarifying that no discussions have taken place with the BJP or any other allies. The party has begun strengthening booth-level committees.

Responding to these developments, the BJP announced the formation of an OBC Commission, a move experts interpret as damage control to appease allies and reassure OBC voters.

With panchayat elections proposed for 2026 and assembly elections in 2027, political experts suggest these developments could serve as a preview of the 2027 electoral landscape, as OBC-based allies distancing themselves from BJP carries significant political implications.

India