Bharatiya Janata Party considers denying tickets to sitting MLAs in Uttar Pradesh

The Bharatiya Janata Party is reportedly considering denying tickets to around 100 sitting MLAs in Uttar Pradesh as part of a cautious strategy ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, according to media reports.

Internal party surveys, feedback from local functionaries and assessments from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh indicate that the ruling party wants to avoid repeating the setbacks faced in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. During the general elections, the party’s seat tally in the state dropped from 62 to 33. The reports note that renominating 49 sitting MPs previously resulted in 27 defeats, a performance the party aims to prevent by strictly evaluating candidates’ ground support.

Party sources indicate that candidate selection will prioritise winability above seniority. Lawmakers facing strong anti-incumbency sentiment after holding seats for a decade, alongside those with persistent friction with local party organisers, are at risk of being replaced. The party is also exploring fielding new and younger faces to address shifting voter demographics and counter local discontent.

Alongside managing anti-incumbency, the party faces challenges regarding shifting social coalitions. Reports highlight a dilution of upper-caste support in the state during the recent polls, prompting a renewed focus on securing Dalit votes, while the opposition Samajwadi Party pursues a PDA (backward, Dalit and minority) formula. Party leadership is weighing local popularity and organisational alignment as key metrics to navigate these political dynamics.