By Manoj Srivastava
Lucknow: As Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gears up to make the 2025 MahaKumbh a grand and divine spectacle, political allies seem to be throwing curveballs, creating challenges in his path. With the 2027 assembly elections in sight, smaller caste-based parties allied with the BJP are intensifying their efforts to assert their influence.
A notable example is Ashish Patel, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister from Apna Dal (S) and the husband of its national president, Union Minister Anupriya Patel. Patel has been openly criticizing Yogi’s trusted bureaucrats, using these allegations as a platform for his grievances. On the other hand, Ashish Patel is himself under fire from Pallavi Patel, the president of Apna Dal (Kameravadi) and an MLA from the Samajwadi Party, who has accused him of corruption. She has frequently sought the intervention of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, demanding Ashish Patel’s dismissal and an investigation into the allegations.
Governor Anandiben Patel, known to align closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s camp, reportedly operates independently of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s influence. This political dynamic has added fuel to the fire as Ashish Patel often invokes Shah’s name to bolster his position. In a recent controversy, Patel even referred to Modi as his leader, raising questions about his loyalty to Apna Dal (S) and its leadership.
Sanjay Nishad’s Political Maneuvering
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Nishad, president of the Nishad Party and a cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, is another ally stirring the pot. Still reeling from his son Praveen Nishad’s defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Sant Kabir Nagar, Sanjay Nishad has been vocal about alleged betrayals within the BJP ranks.
While the state government is putting its weight behind ensuring an internationally acclaimed MahaKumbh, scheduled to begin with Paush Purnima on January 13, 2025, Nishad has decided to hold his party’s 12th Sankalp Diwas in Gorakhpur on the same day. This strategic move appears to be aimed at pressuring the BJP for greater seat-sharing concessions in the upcoming assembly elections while sending a message to his core constituency of Nishads and Mallahs, who have historically played a significant role in organizing river-based festivals like MahaKumbh.
Nishad Party’s Agenda
In a press release, Dr. Sanjay Nishad highlighted the purpose of the Sankalp Diwas, which marks the party’s foundation in 2016. The event will focus on key issues such as political and social reservation for the fishing community, allocation of land and water bodies as per revenue codes, and other developmental demands.
He announced that the party would restructure its state and national committees, which were dissolved post-2024 Lok Sabha elections, and discuss strategies for ensuring the community’s welfare. The party will also deliberate on its demands for reservations for the fishing community and future course of action.
Calling on members of the Nishad community to participate in large numbers, Nishad emphasized the importance of their historical contributions to Hindu festivals and river-based events.
MahaKumbh’s Significance
The MahaKumbh, beginning on January 13, 2025, is poised to be a symbol of Hindu unity and cultural harmony. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has deployed extensive resources to ensure its grandeur and promote its divinity on an international stage. The festival is not only a spiritual event but also an opportunity for Uttar Pradesh to showcase its cultural richness to the world.
The Political Implications
Sanjay Nishad’s decision to organize the Sankalp Diwas in Yogi Adityanath’s home district of Gorakhpur on the same day as the MahaKumbh’s commencement is seen as a calculated political move. By aligning his event with this significant occasion, Nishad is likely attempting to assert his party’s importance and secure a stronger bargaining position within the BJP alliance.
While the Yogi administration focuses on fostering Hindu unity through the MahaKumbh, the actions of smaller allies like the Nishad Party and Apna Dal (S) underscore the complex political dynamics within the BJP-led coalition. These maneuvers will undoubtedly shape the narrative as Uttar Pradesh moves closer to the 2027 assembly elections.
The coming months will reveal whether these political undercurrents disrupt the grand vision for the MahaKumbh or strengthen the BJP’s alliances in the state.
