Party chief calls for every vote to go to NDA, highlights OBC reservation and caste census
Pratapgarh: Apna Dal (S) national president and Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel on Saturday sounded the poll bugle for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, declaring that her party was prepared for the electoral battle and would work to help the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secure a third consecutive victory.
Addressing thousands of party workers and supporters at a tribute and memorial programme organised at the GIC Ground in Pratapgarh to mark the Parinirvan Diwas of party founder Dr Sonelal Patel, Anupriya called for unity within the alliance and urged workers to ensure that every vote went to the NDA.
Apna Dal (S) national vice-president and Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Ashish Patel, along with party legislators, senior office-bearers and public representatives, attended the event.
Focus on NDA Unity and Seat-Sharing
Anupriya Patel urged party workers to mobilise at the grassroots level and strengthen the organisation ahead of the 2027 polls. She said Apna Dal (S) would stand firmly with its candidates and work towards the NDA’s electoral success.
On seat-sharing within the alliance, she said the matter would be discussed among NDA partners.
Raises OBC Rights and Reservation Issues
Targeting opposition parties without naming them, Anupriya questioned their record on the welfare of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), asking what they had done for the community despite having held power at the Centre and in states.
She renewed the demand for a separate ministry for the backward classes, pointing out that dedicated ministries exist for minority welfare and Scheduled Tribes, while a similar ministry for OBCs has not been established.
The Union minister also highlighted her party’s role in raising reservation-related concerns in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and outsourcing recruitment. She claimed that the party’s efforts had helped secure the implementation of OBC reservation in NEET and ensure compliance with reservation rules in outsourcing recruitment.
Describing Apna Dal (S) as a relatively small political party, she said it played an important role in advocating the rights of backward and disadvantaged communities.
Caste Census Debate
Anupriya also criticised opposition parties over the caste census, arguing that their renewed demands had gained momentum only after they moved into the opposition. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said the caste census had been implemented.
Calls for Expansion at the Grassroots
Emphasising organisational expansion, the party chief called on workers to take Apna Dal (S) to every village and household, urging them to ensure that the party’s blue-and-saffron flag was visible across the state.
She said political workers must earn public trust by remaining connected with people, raising their concerns and fighting for their rights. She also called for Dr Sonelal Patel’s ideas and commitment to social justice to be taken to a wider audience.
During her address, she also criticised the opposition over a protest in Delhi, alleging that it was linked to attempts to destabilise the established political order.
Tribute to Dr Sonelal Patel
The programme paid tribute to Dr Sonelal Patel and recalled his contribution to social and political movements, particularly his advocacy of equality, social justice, OBC rights and greater political participation for disadvantaged communities.
The gathering brought together thousands of party workers and supporters, with Anupriya Patel using the occasion to underline the party’s preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. She reiterated that strengthening the organisation and maintaining unity within the NDA would remain central to Apna Dal (S)’s political strategy.
