Among seven new picks, four are first-time MLAs
Along with ministry expansion, the party has decided to nominate Jitin Prasada, and three members of Gurjar, Bhurji and Nishad communities as MLCs
LUCKNOW: The seven new ministers inducted into the Yogi Adityanath government on Sunday reflect the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s focus on picking educated, mostly young leaders, from non-Yadav Other Backward Castes and non-Jatav Dalit subcastes as ministers who have got a people-connect, BJP leaders admitted. Most of the new ministers are below 55, with at least two of them being under 45 years. Four of them are first-time MLAs.
Each of the new faces would have their task cut out, a senior party leader said, adding, that with around 90 days left for the government to undertake major policy decisions, these new ministers would have to hit the ground running.
The BJP is still mulling whether something on the lines of the “ashirward yatra”, which was undertaken by those leaders who found a place in the Narendra Modi government in July, should be launched.
Party leaders admitted that the new ministers would surely undertake “community-connect” initiative, though its form is yet to be decided.
While Jitin Prasada is all set to be nominated to one of the four MLC posts, the rest of the six ministers are already lawmakers, helping the party select three other leaders from OBC and Dalit communities for MLC posts.
BJP leaders said the party has also decided to nominate members of Gurjar, Bhurji and Nishad communities as MLCs.
Apart from Jitin Prasada, the party has also named Virendra Singh Gurjar (Shamli), Sanjay Nishad (Gorakhpur) and Gopal Anjan Bhurji (Moradabad) as its MLC picks, thus ending a long-delayed suspense on the subject. “This would mean that along with seven ministers, these MLCs would help our caste outreach further. Only Jitin ji is minister and would be nominated as MLC too. The rest of the six ministers and three remaining MLC positions are all filled up by different subcastes of OBCs and Dalits,” a BJP leader said. “This is the first time, a member of Bhurji caste has been made an MLC,” BJP leaders said.
“We would readily undertake whatever task the party assigns to us,” said Dharamvir Prajapati, the new minister of state and OBC leader, who was made BJP MLC in January. His appointment showcases the BJP focus on Dalit-dominated Agra belt from where the party has six lawmakers, two MPs, and a mayor. In July, the BJP’s Agra Lok Sabha MP SP Singh Baghel was appointed as a Union minister of state in the Narendra Modi government.
The BJP’s focus on riverine communities comprising boatmen and fishermen, who are also being wooed by the opposition Samajwadi Party, was apparent in the appointment of Sangeeta Balwant Bind, 41, a postgraduate woman politician from the community.
“None has done as much for the marginalised class as BJP and we would definitely strengthen this outreach initiative,” she said soon after being sworn in as a minister of state.
The BJP has also nominated Nishad party leader Sanjay Nishad as MLC, leaders said.