In a recent statement reflecting on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya acknowledged the BJP’s setback in Uttar Pradesh, attributing it to overconfidence. Speaking at an event in Lucknow, Maurya emphasised that the party’s loss was a result of not focusing enough on the ground-level efforts needed to secure victory.
Maurya noted, “BJP is the present and the future. This time in the Lok Sabha elections, we might have missed, but next time we will come back stronger.” He admitted that the BJP’s overconfidence led them to underestimate the competition. Despite the loss, Maurya asserted that it is not the strength of the government but the party’s efforts that determine election outcomes.
Maurya’s comments also included sharp criticism of Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav. He accused Yadav of betraying backward classes and starting his own political downfall. “If I do not mention the Samajwadi Party, something will remain incomplete,” Maurya said.
He criticised Yadav for allegedly aligning with Congress and misleading voters by claiming that the Constitution would be abolished. Maurya countered this by asserting that his party is committed to expanding the rights and powers given to backward and Dalit communities, rather than diminishing them.
He further criticised the Congress party, suggesting that it manipulates Yadav to serve its own interests. Maurya questioned whether Rahul Gandhi, whom he described as a sympathiser of the poor, could be compared to Prime Minister Modi, who he claimed has truly improved the lives of the underprivileged.
“Can Rahul Gandhi, who is a sympathiser of the poor, be compared to Modiji, who makes the life of the poor happy?” Maurya asked.
Tensions between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party have been high, particularly following a verbal exchange between Yadav and Maurya. On July 26, Yadav referred to Maurya as a “Mohra” during a press conference, suggesting that Maurya was merely a pawn in the BJP's strategy.
In response, Maurya retorted that Yadav was the “Mohra” of Congress and should focus on saving his party from political decline. Maurya’s retort highlighted ongoing disputes and accusations between the two leaders.
Yadav had criticised the BJP for allegedly mismanaging various systems and departments, and accused Maurya of being an ineffective leader. “They have spoiled every system. Every system and every department has been ruined,” Yadav stated, addressing Maurya's role in the government. He further alleged that Maurya was just a tool of Delhi’s power structure and questioned the effectiveness of the current administration in Uttar Pradesh.
The exchange reflects the deepening political rivalry between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party, with both sides trading barbs and blaming each other for the state’s issues.
As the BJP prepares to regroup and address its electoral shortcomings, Maurya’s comments suggest a strategy of renewed focus and determination to rectify past mistakes.
The 2024 elections have revealed significant challenges for the BJP, including the need to reassess its approach and strengthen its grassroots efforts. Maurya’s acknowledgment of overconfidence and his commitment to returning stronger in future elections indicate a readiness to learn from past errors and adapt to the evolving political landscape.
Keshav Prasad Maurya’s reflections on the recent Lok Sabha elections highlight the BJP’s recognition of its shortcomings and its commitment to overcoming them. The ongoing political disputes and accusations between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party underscore the intensity of the current political climate in Uttar Pradesh, setting the stage for continued debate and competition in the coming years.
Follow us
