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Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
With RSS inputs, BJP steps up spade work on 200 seats
Lucknow: In a strategic move for 2027 state elections, the BJP has stepped up its poll spadework in close to 200 assembly seats/segments of Uttar Pradesh where the party faced setbacks in the 2022 assembly and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP faced a significant dent in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when its tally shrank from 66 to 36, a decline of around 30 seats. In all, the BJP lost 44 Lok Sabha seats, which, party insiders said, translates into around 200 seats where the party needs to augment its organisational structure and boost its position. The measure, sources said, was taken up after an exhaustive round of discussion with the RSS, the BJP's ideological fountainhead. The Sangh, it is learnt, recently deliberated on a host of steps that were required to be taken by the BJP to counter an aggressive opposition, primarily the Samajwadi Party, which has been hoisting its tried and tested Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) plank. The party leadership has tasked state general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh to camp in the "vulnerable seats" and churn out remedial measures accordingly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Insiders Swear By This Risky Forex Strategy – Find Out Why! Expertinspector Learn More Undo Singh, who has already hit the ground running, is learnt to be meeting the key party functionaries – incumbent and former organisational leaders in a host of assembly seats/segments which the BJP lost in the 2022 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "The motto of the meeting is 'Har Karya ke liye karyakarta aur har karyakarta ke liye karya' (work for every party worker)," said a senior BJP leader, highlighting how the state leadership was ensuring the engagement of party workers as part of ground-level preparations. The BJP leader said that after a broader assessment of the prevailing ground-level situation is done, the party brass will start deploying teams of key party functionaries to bolster the grassroots campaign. This poll groundwork will include booth-level empowerment to fortify the party's presence at the grassroots level and the outreach campaigns, including the ones like 'Gaon Chalo Abhiyan' to engage with rural voters and the 'Beneficiaries Sampark Abhiyan' to connect with recipients of govt welfare schemes. Likewise, the party plans a digital engagement to facilitate direct communication with ground-level workers and enhance the dissemination of campaign messages. The party also plans to chart out a Caste-Based Mobilisation campaign in response to the Samajwadi Party's successful caste-based outreach. The BJP, experts said, sought to sharpen its focus on non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Dalits, and Brahmins to consolidate its support base. Sources said that the party sought to work on a two-pronged strategy of Hindutva-driven nationalism as well as a caste-based poll narrative. While the recent terror attack in Pahalgam has already stroked the saffron pantheon to play up its nationalist agenda to the core, the BJP govt's recent decision to conduct caste enumeration in the forthcoming census has armed the saffron party to factor in caste dynamics in the overall scheme of things.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Nod to key urban reforms to ease financial burden on local bodies in UP
LUCKNOW In a move aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure and easing financial pressures on civic bodies, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Thursday approved two major proposals under the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme. The decision is set to provide significant relief to urban local bodies (ULBs), especially those with limited revenue sources, and fast-track delayed development projects across the state. Funding support under AMRUT 1.0 In a key decision, the UP cabinet sanctioned ₹89.81 crore from State Finance Commission grants to cover the remaining financial contributions of ULBs under AMRUT 1.0. This step is aimed at unblocking critical water supply and sewerage projects that have been stalled due to lack of funds from ULBs. The cities that stand to benefit include Ayodhya, Mirzapur, Etah, Ghazipur, Rae Bareli, and Unnao — many of which have been facing challenges due to high floating populations and limited financial capacities. The state government acknowledged that newly constituted municipal corporations like Ayodhya and religious hubs such as Mirzapur face unique fiscal constraints despite their growing infrastructure demands. Out of 328 approved AMRUT 1.0 projects, 307 have already been completed. This funding decision is expected to ensure timely completion of the remaining 21, improving public service delivery and reducing the operational burden on ULBs. Major relief under AMRUT 2.0 In another significant decision, the state cabinet approved a revised funding structure under AMRUT 2.0, reducing the financial contribution required from ULBs based on the size of the urban population. The state will now shoulder a larger share of project costs, making infrastructure development more accessible for smaller cities. Cities with population over 10 lakh: ULB share reduced from 15% to 8% and the state share increased from 60% to 67%. Cities with population up to 10 lakh: ULB share cut from 10% to 4%, state share up from 56.67% to 62.67%. Cities with population below 1 lakh: ULBs to contribute only 2%, with 48% funded by the state and 50% by the Centre. This new funding model is expected to drastically cut delays and improve execution of vital projects related to drinking water, sewerage systems, green spaces and water body rejuvenation. 'These landmark decisions reflect the government's citizen-centric and inclusive approach to urban development,' said principal secretary, urban development, Amrit Abhijat. Amendment to dairy dev policy The cabinet also gave nod to the second amendment to the UP Dairy Development and Milk Production Policy-2022 to bring incentives given to investors in dairy development industry at par with the UP Food Processing Industry Policy-2023. Briefing media persons, dairy development minister Dharampal Singh said the amendments replace the existing provisions for 10% subsidy in the industry. The incentives would now be 35% of the cost, subject to a maximum of ₹5 crore, for setting up dairy industry. He said the incentive for modernisation of existing dairy plants would be 35%, subject to a maximum of ₹2.50 crore, 35% for buying quality control equipment, subject to a maximum ₹1 crore. It will also be 35%, subject to a maximum of ₹1 crore, to buy refrigerated van/insulated van, milk tanker, bulk milk cooler, ice-cream trolley/deep freezer etc. Income of village panchayats The cabinet approved a scheme to encourage village panchayats to increase their income from organising markets or village pond fisheries etc. It decided that the state government would contribute five times of the income generated by the village panchayats. The state government would provide a sum of ₹5 lakh, if the village panchayat earned ₹1 lakh from its own sources. Panchayat Utsav Bhawan The cabinet gave nod to a proposal to set up Panchayat Utsav Bhawan in nearly 71 village panchayats. Finance minister Suresh Khanna said a provision of ₹100 crore has been made for this in the state's budget for 2025-2026. Under the Matrabhoomi Yojana, donors willing to contribute would bear 60% of the cost of a marriage home etc while 40% cost would be borne by the village panchayat. The cost of one Utsav Bhawan has been estimated at ₹1.41 crore, he said.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Eye on investments, govt increases subsidy for dairy units to 35%
To attract investment in the dairy sector, the state government has decided to increase the subsidy for setting up new units or upgrading the existing ones to 35 per cent or up to Rs 5 crore. The state Cabinet on Thursday gave its nod to the amendments to the UP Dairy Development and Milk Production Promotion Policy 2022. Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Dharampal Singh said that so far, only 10 per cent subsidy was given by the state government under the existing policy, whereas under the policies like Food Processing Industry Policy 2023, 35 per cent subsidy or up to Rs 5 crore was given. 'Similarly, now under the Uttar Pradesh Dairy Development and Milk Production Promotion Policy, a subsidy of 35 per cent, up to Rs 5 crore, will be given for establishing new dairy units as well as for the upgradation of existing ones,' Singh said. He said that apart from this, 35 per cent of the cost or up to Rs 2.5 crore would also be given for modernisation in dairy plants, while 35 per cent or up to Rs 1 crore would be given for the purchase of machinery and equipment. 'While another 35 per cent of the cost, up to Rs 1 crore, has been offered for setting up of cold chain for dairy products,' the minister said. As part of efforts to make Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayats financially self-sufficient, the Cabinet on Thursday allowed the rural bodies to undertake activities with the available resources for generating earnings with the state government providing the gram panchayat five times the assistance amount. 'For example, if through activities like undertaking fish breeding in the existing ponds or through local markets, if Gram Sabha is able to earn Rs 10,000, then the government would provide them five times the amount,that is Rs 50,000, as assistance to enhance their earnings further. A maximum of Rs 5 lakh assistance based on the maximum Rs 1 lakh earning of the Gram Panchayat, would be provided by the government,' said Cabinet Minister Suresh Khanna.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP: Strong divisional infra needed for 2027 polls
1 2 Lucknow: UP BJP general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh on Friday reiterated that the foundation of organisational activities and elections lies at the division level. "A strong division structure will lead to a robust power centre and booth structure, paving the way for a significant victory of the party in the 2027 assembly elections," he said while speaking to newly elected division and district presidents, and district in-charges of the Awadh region in said there was a need to form the division's executive committee. This committee will consist of 61 members, including 15 office-bearers. He urged the division presidents to ensure that all party programmes and campaigns are effectively conducted at the division level."To achieve this, continuous contact and communication with party officials, veteran leaders, and workers from the central to booth levels residing in the division are necessary," he during a Scheduled Caste dialogue programme, Singh said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is being built according to the vision of BR Ambedkar, ensuring economic and social advancement and political participation for all classes, including Scheduled Castes, through social justice and constitutional rights. He criticised the Congress and Samajwadi Party for focusing on the political advancement of the Nehru-Gandhi and the Saifai families.
News18
07-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Reclaim & Reconnect: BJP's Strategy For 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls
The BJP's formula not only aims to reclaim the 125 assembly seats it lost in 2022, but also mend its relationship with Dalit voters through a targeted 'SC Dialogue' campaign With an eye on the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come up with a special formula – 'reclaim and reconnect'. The formula, as per the BJP's 2027 blueprint, not only aims to reclaim the more than 125 assembly seats it lost in the 2022 assembly polls, but also mend its frayed relationship with Dalit voters through a targeted 'Scheduled Caste Dialogue' campaign, which the party is carrying out in the key constituencies. The defeat in key constituencies and the drubbing in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections — where the BJP could win only 33 of the 80 seats in UP — have served as a wake-up call. Under the strategic leadership of party state general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh, the BJP is going back to the grassroots, blending hard electoral arithmetic with emotional outreach. BJP'S RETROSPECTIVE REALISATION advetisement In the 2022 Vidhan Sabha polls, despite returning to power with 255 seats on its own and 18 more through allies Apna Dal (Soney Lal) and NISHAD party, the BJP failed to retain several strongholds. The 2024 general election results further punctuated the urgency for course correction, especially with the resurgent Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance gaining traction across caste lines — particularly among Dalits. 'The SP-Congress alliance misled Scheduled Caste voters by spreading falsehoods about the BJP's intentions towards the Constitution and Dr Ambedkar's legacy. However, this time our aim is to correct the misconceptions with facts and literature that reflect our long-standing commitment to social justice and Dalit empowerment," said Dharampal Singh. DALIT DIALOGUE One of the BJP's most concerted campaigns in recent times is its Scheduled Caste Dialogue programme — a series of grassroots meetings, public interactions, and cadre mobilisation efforts designed to engage directly with Dalit communities. Singh, who is spearheading the campaign, has been visiting district after district — especially those covering constituencies the BJP lost in 2022. From Pratapgarh to Ambedkar Nagar, from Rae Bareli to Bijnor, he has been holding what insiders describe as 'healing meetings" — aimed not just at political consolidation, but social reconnection. 'During these visits, we aren't just focusing on votes. We are listening to grievances, identifying gaps in welfare delivery, and communicating our commitment to safeguarding the Constitution," said a senior BJP leader involved in the planning. REBUILDING BOOTHS The BJP's second major thrust is structural — a meticulous rebuilding of its booth-level organisation in the lost constituencies. The party leadership has tasked district units with reactivating booth committees, identifying influential local faces among marginalised communities, and ensuring last-mile communication. 'Our experience has shown that a strong booth organisation translates into better electoral performance. In areas we lost, either our ground presence was weak or our message didn't reach effectively. That's being fixed," said another senior strategist. BJP workers have been asked to go door-to-door with campaign literature that highlights the party's policies for Dalits, including the provision of free housing, health insurance under Ayushman Bharat, and schemes like PM-SVANidhi for street vendors, many of whom belong to SC communities. AMBEDKAR AND THE CONSTITUTION advetisement Perhaps the most sensitive front in the BJP's twin-strategy campaign is the battle over BR Ambedkar's legacy and the sanctity of the Constitution — issues the Opposition has successfully used to corner the BJP in recent years. 'The narrative that the BJP is anti-Ambedkar or that it will dilute the Constitution is not just false, it's dangerous. Unfortunately, many fell for it during the Lok Sabha polls. We are going to dispel these myths with data, history, and outreach," said Singh. The BJP is also planning a series of conferences, seminars, and public dialogues — some in collaboration with Dalit intellectuals and retired bureaucrats — to present its perspective on Ambedkar's ideals and its alignment with the vision of social harmony and empowerment. THE ROAD TO 2027 top videos View All The road to 2027 is not just about electoral numbers, it's about the BJP's ideological and social positioning in India's most populous and politically critical state. With the SP and Congress alliance gaining momentum, and regional outfits such as the BSP watching from the sidelines, the BJP's twin-focus plan could be a game-changer — or a desperate last-ditch effort — depending on how well it is executed. 'If the BJP successfully rebuilds its connection with Dalits while strengthening its organisational structure in lost constituencies, it could blunt the edge of the SP-Congress alliance," said Prof. Shashikant Pandey, head of the Department of Political Science at Dr Ambedkar University, Lucknow. 'The real contest in 2027 will be over perception, narrative, and mobilisation." Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : bharatiya janata party bjp news18 specials uttar pradesh Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: May 07, 2025, 19:35 IST News elections Reclaim & Reconnect: BJP's Strategy For 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls
