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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP plans to coordinate with EC to weed out ‘illegal immigrants' from UP voter roll
1 2 Lucknow: Amid the ongoing row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar, the UP BJP plans to coordinate closely with the Election Commission of India to weed out 'illegal' immigrants, if any, from the voter list in the run-up to the 2027 assembly elections. BJP sources said that party functionaries have been asked to identify 'illegal' immigrants—primarily Rohingyas and Bangladeshis—residing in the state and to inform the poll panel immediately about it. While there is no specific data readily available on the presence of Rohingya and Bangladeshi population in Uttar Pradesh, it is known that some Rohingya refugees have settled in parts of India. The situation in Uttar Pradesh is said to mirror the broader trends of Rohingya presence in India, which includes undocumented individuals living in slums and engaged in menial and odd jobs, especially in a host of prominent municipal towns of the state. Sources said that a blueprint of the scheduled exercise was laid down during a recent organisational meeting of the BJP in Lucknow. All senior party leaders, including CM Yogi Adityanath, UP BJP Chief Bhupendra Chaudhary, and regional and district presidents, were present at the meeting. "The election commission gives necessary instructions regarding voter list revision from time to time. The ECI will do it accordingly as per rules and laid down procedures. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI now helps people speak languages fast Talkpal AI Undo We can only help the commission by alerting it about the residents living in the state illegally," maintained a senior state BJP leader, wishing anonymity. The party leadership has also pitched for adding at least 15,000 voters in each assembly constituency. "The idea is to ensure the purity of the voter list. The party would do its duty by coordinating with the ECI whenever the voter list revision takes place in the state," said UP BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai. Another BJP leader pointed out that the voter list revision will be done with utmost caution. He highlighted the ECI's assurance to the Supreme Court—in connection with SIR in Bihar—that no eligible voter will be removed from the electoral rolls without prior notice. In an affidavit filed on Saturday, the poll body said it was taking "all possible steps" to include every eligible voter in the final list during the ongoing SIR. As a matter of fact, the Rohingyas and Bangladeshis have come under the radar of the UP govt after the dastardly terror attack on Pahalgam. The state govt launched a statewide crackdown by collecting details of residents with doubtful credentials but thriving in different clusters across the state. According to reports, in the Varanasi zone alone, around 300 individuals were flagged by the police. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UP BJP chief pick a tight-rope caste dynamic walk for saffron party
1 2 Lucknow: The BJP faced a significant setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in UP, losing ground to the SP-Congress of the INDIA bloc. This setback, coupled with the subsequent rise of SP's PDA politics and increased activism by Karni Sena following SP MP Ram Ji Lal Suman's remarks on Rajput King Rana Sanga, has rapidly altered the caste dynamics in Uttar Pradesh. Previously reliant on support from upper caste, OBC, and Dalit communities—excluding Jatavs—the BJP now recognises the impermanence of political alliances. Addressing this shift presents a challenge as the party prepares for the 2027 UP elections. In response, the BJP has adopted a more cautious approach, slowing down vital decision-making processes, including the selection of the new UP BJP chief, since the current chief, Bhupendra Chaudhary, has completed his term. Party members and analysts are awaiting the central BJP's forthcoming strategies. "Party insiders told TOI that the homework to appoint a new UP BJP chief has been done and the announcement could be made anytime now," a party source said. Speculation surrounds the potential candidates, with names from various caste categories—upper caste Brahmins, OBCs, and Dalits—floating in discussions. Speculation is rife that after the new UP BJP chief assumes office, the Yogi govt might also go for a rejig. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Gandon Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Political pundits largely favour an OBC candidate for the role. A senior BJP functionary and minister in the Yogi govt told TOI that 90% possibility is of an OBC UP BJP chief while 10% chance is that of a Dalit one. He ruled out a Brahmin UP BJP chief. Others suggest that the BJP central leadership might choose a Brahmin chief to surprise the opposition, continuing the party's tradition of unexpected appointments. Each candidate category offers distinct advantages and challenges. Here's a lowdown on pros and cons of each one: If OBC candidate become UP BJP chief Pros: It could counter the Samajwadi Party's PDA (pichhda, Dalit and alpasankhyak) narrative, which contributed to the BJP winning only 33 seats in the LS polls compared to 64 in the previous election. An OBC chief might also balance the party's organisational structure and govt, while mitigating the opposition's caste-based criticisms. Cons: Lot will depend on the choice of the candidate even if he is an OBC. The incumbent Bhupendra Chaudhary, too, is OBC but the caste dynamic did not help BJP win more LS seats in UP. However, the success of an OBC chief would heavily depend on the candidate's ability to inspire confidence among party workers and voters. Additionally, there is a risk of further alienating upper caste Brahmins who may feel neglected. If Dalit becomes UP BJP chief Pros: Appointing a Dalit chief could help retain Dalit voters, especially Pasis, who shifted away during the LS polls and allow the BJP to come up as an option like SP and Congress are trying to woo mainly Jatavs, who continue to remain loyal to the BSP despite its repeated electoral debacles. It would also help the BJP shed the image of being an upper caste-dominated party. Cons: The sub-castes within the Dalit community might limit the candidate's appeal, and upper caste Brahmins may remain dissatisfied. If Brahmin becomes UP BJP chief Pros: Choosing a Brahmin chief would likely reassure upper caste Brahmin voters and maintain their support base as many of them are unhappy with the party's OBC outreach. Cons: However, it could alienate OBC and Dalit communities, reinforcing the perception of the BJP as catering primarily to upper castes and not addressing broader social groups. Though the scales appear to tilt in favour of OBC candidate, the new BJP since 2014 is known to spring up surprises.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lucknow celebrates its MP's birthday with prayers & welfare activities
Lucknow: BJP functionaries, religious leaders and community groups and city residents organized various programmes to celebrate the birthday of Lucknow MP and Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday. Lucknow BJP unit, led by Mahangar president Anand Dwivedi, organised an event at Hanuman Setu Temple, featuring a Sundar Kand Paath, aarti, and cutting of a 74-kg laddoo cake in the presence of BJP state president Bhupendra Chaudhary, deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and Noida MLA Pankaj Singh. Guests were honoured with 'tulsi' garlands, shawls, and ceremonial swords. Bhupendra Chaudhary praised Rajnath as a steadfast politician and mentor, while Maurya highlighted his contributions. Pathak emphasised Singh's role in transforming Lucknow into a model smart city.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Op Sindoor: BJP-backed ‘Tiranga Yatra' to pass through block, tehsil level too
Lucknow: BJP-backed ' Tiranga Yatra ' — aiming to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor which targeted terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack — will not only pass through big political centres and key districts but will also go as deep as block and tehsil level to ratchet up the nationalist fervour at the grassroots level in Uttar Pradesh and campaign, scheduled to be flagged off by CM Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday, will move through prominent districts on May 15, 16 and 17. It will subsequently go through various assembly segments, tehsils and administrative blocks.A top UP BJP functionary told TOI that the campaign, which will go until May 23, will not be carried out under party flag to avoid its politicisation. Instead, the party will mobilise the public with the help of different social sources said the party high command has asked the state brass to carry the campaign under the banner of tricolour so that it cuts across party lines and brings together people irrespective of their socio-political affiliations. "The campaign will be scaled in such a way that it reaches the ground level," said UP BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary, affirming that the idea was mooted by the party's central leadership to evoke a collective public response on Operation Sindoor. "The entire country stands in support of the Indian Army and govt," he told TOI. This will be akin to the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign which was launched last year by the BJP as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It encouraged every Indian household to display the national flag to foster patriotism and celebrate India's Independence. BJP had even urged the Opposition not to politicise the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, emphasising that the national flag belongs to everyone."This time too the party has appealed to all parties to unite without engaging in political disputes," said a BJP functionary associated with the 'Tiranga Yatra'."The yatra is part of an effort to instil patriotism among the youth and to express gratitude to the martyrs, said a UP BJP Opposition parties, nevertheless, have raised concerns about the timing and intent of the yatra, with some alleging that the BJP is attempting to appropriate the national flag for political gain.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UP BJP hails centre's caste census move
Lucknow: Hailing the central govt's decision to conduct a caste census, UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary said the move showed that the Narendra Modi govt was committed to the overall interests and values of the country and society. He said this historic decision would bring about a significant change in the direction of inclusive development. It would help make policies more equitable and targeted, providing a solid foundation for empowering deprived sections of society. Chaudhary slammed previous Congress govts, accusing them of "opposing" the caste census. "Castes were not counted in any census after independence," he said, pointing out that in 2010, then prime minister, the late Manmohan Singh, assured the Lok Sabha that the matter would be considered by the cabinet. "Thereafter, a cabinet group was also formed, in which most political parties recommended a caste census. Despite this, the Congress govt chose to conduct a survey instead of a caste census, which became known as the SECC," he said. UP cabinet minister Swatantra Dev Singh said Congress only made promises while in power. He accused those who ruled for decades of engaging in the politics of caste division. "Congress used people as a vote bank by dividing them on the basis of caste and religion," Singh said, accusing the party of "postponing" the caste census for years. Meanwhile, deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said a caste census would strengthen society both economically and socially, adding that it would accelerate the country's progress. "A new energy will be infused in the country, which will help in developing India," he said. Maurya maintained that the BJP has never opposed the caste census. He said union home minister Amit Shah has repeatedly made it clear that the BJP is not against it. Maurya also pointed out that the BJP supported the caste census in Bihar. He said a caste census was conducted in the country until 1931, and data was collected in 1941 as well, but it was not published. From 1951 to 2011, every census provided data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but not on OBCs and other castes, he added.
