Rising Influence of Keshav Prasad Maurya: BJP Targets Multiple Political Gains with Strategic Moves

Lucknow: The political stature of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya continues to grow within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After his effective role as co-in-charge in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections—where the BJP emerged as the single largest party winning 89 seats—Maurya has now been entrusted with another crucial responsibility. The party leadership has appointed him as the Central Observer for selecting the leader of the BJP Legislature Party in Bihar.

Key Team to Oversee Leadership Selection

As per a letter issued by BJP National Office Secretary Arun Singh, Maurya will be accompanied by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and former Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, who have been named as co-observers. Their task is to coordinate and oversee the election of the BJP Legislature Party leader in Bihar, a process seen as politically significant after the party’s impressive performance.

How Maurya’s Influence Has Expanded

Keshav Prasad Maurya has long been considered a key organisational figure in the BJP. He served as the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh state president during the 2017 Assembly elections—when the party returned to power after 14 years with a three-fourths majority. He was also appointed co-in-charge for the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the BJP again became the single largest party. Maurya has also played important roles in election management in West Bengal.

Why BJP Is Elevating Maurya

Political observers believe Maurya’s growing importance is linked to the BJP’s strategy regarding the OBC vote bank. Historically, the BJP first captured power in UP under OBC icon Kalyan Singh, and the 2017 victory was achieved under Maurya’s leadership as state party chief. This reinforces the belief within the party that strong OBC representation is essential for continued political dominance.

Meanwhile, the opposition has been pushing the PDA (Pichhda-Dalit-Alpsankhyak) narrative, which helped them make notable gains in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP leadership is now focusing on countering this strategy, and Maurya—one of the party’s most prominent OBC faces—is seen as central to this effort.

BJP’s National-Level Strategy

By assigning Maurya key responsibilities beyond Uttar Pradesh, the BJP appears to be positioning him as a national-level OBC leader to consolidate support across states. His role in Bihar is seen as part of this larger strategy to strengthen the party’s outreach among backward communities ahead of upcoming elections.