‘Khela’ has started in the politics of Uttar Pradesh even before the elections. The recent actions of Sanjay Nishad, a minister in the Yogi government and president of Nishad Party, have created a stir in the political atmosphere of UP. Recently, Sanjay Nishad’s meeting at the house of senior Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav and his statements have heated up the market of speculation. He clearly said that “if BJP closes its doors, they will have to find a new place.” After this statement, there is a strong discussion in the political circles whether Nishad Party is going to leave NDA?
This statement of Sanjay Nishad has also exposed the discord within the NDA. BJP MLA Piyush Ranjan Nishad from Karchana seat of Prayagraj has launched a direct attack on Sanjay Nishad. He bluntly said that Sanjay Nishad is not the only or universally accepted leader of the entire Nishad community. This sharp statement of the MLA has made it clear that everything is not going well within the ruling coalition. This war of statements has intensified the murmur of new political equations in UP.
After the setbacks faced by Nishad Party in the 2022 Assembly elections and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party now does not want to take any risk for the grand contest of 2027. The party has appointed its presidents and in-charges for 380 out of 403 assembly seats in UP. To strengthen the grip at the grassroots level, command of 160 seats has been handed over to three zonal in-charges and deployment has been made on 80 seats up to the booth level. To realize its strength, the party is planning big conferences across the state.
Amidst the rumors flying in the political circles, Sanjay Nishad has also given clarification on his relations with BJP. He said that Nishad Party’s relationship with BJP at the Center and in the state is very deep religiously, politically and socially. He claimed that at present he is trying to remain with the BJP while making every possible effort to provide justice to the Nishad community and for their rights. However, only time will tell whether this ‘outburst’ of Sanjay Nishad is a bargaining chip of the alliance or there is really going to be a major political upheaval.
