Bareilly: The BJP’s choice to leave Union Minister of State B. L. Verma off its most recent Rajya Sabha list has sparked a new round of political chatter throughout Rohilkhand, especially in Badaun and neighboring districts.
The Lodh community at the centre of the move
Verma, a senior figure from Badaun and a prominent voice of the Lodh community, is due to finish his Rajya Sabha stint in November. In his stead, the party has promoted Uttar Pradesh minister and Aonla MLA Dharmapal Singh, a shift many read as a calculated recalibration before the state assembly polls.
Hailing from Jyora Parwala village in the Bilsi Assembly segment, Verma entered the Upper House in November 2020 and currently serves as Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. His omission has triggered a debate about the BJP’s next steps in the region.
Political analysts argue that Singh’s nomination is intended to solidify the party’s hold on the Lodh vote bank while presenting another seasoned leader from the same caste. Verma’s historic alliance with former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, and his long‑standing rivalry with Kalyan’s son, ex‑Etah MP Rajveer Singh, add further layers to the intra‑caste contest.
By moving Singh to the Rajya Sabha, the BJP may be seeking to unify Lodh support across western Uttar Pradesh.
Shifting equations in Aonla
The reshuffle could also reverberate in the Aonla constituency, traditionally a Rajput‑dominated bastion. Party strategists might contemplate fielding a high‑profile Rajput candidate there for the upcoming assembly election.
Having repeatedly won the Aonla seat, Dharmapal Singh’s elevation opens a window for the BJP to rethink its candidate roster for the area, underscoring the enduring importance of caste and regional balance in its electoral calculus.
Will BL Verma re‑enter the fray?
With his Rajya Sabha tenure drawing to a close, rumours abound that Verma could stage a comeback through direct electoral politics. Party insiders suggest he may be earmarked for a legislative assembly contest from his home turf.
Verma’s power base lies in Ujhani, part of the Bilsi Assembly constituency, currently represented by BJP MLA Harish Shakya. Nearby Badaun city is held by BJP MLA Mahesh Chandra Gupta. Deploying Verma in a contest there could generate internal competition while leveraging his organisational acumen for the BJP’s campaign.
Verma’s pledge of loyalty
Despite being omitted from the Rajya Sabha slate, Verma has maintained a measured tone. He confirmed that his term ends in November and that he will accept any role the party assigns to him.
He reiterated his commitment as a disciplined party worker, ready to shoulder responsibilities handed over by the organisation.
The fresh Rajya Sabha nominations have therefore opened several possibilities in Rohilkhand—from a reshuffling of local leadership to evolving caste dynamics and potential adjustments in assembly‑level candidate selection as Uttar Pradesh moves toward its next election.
