Replacing upper caste brahmin Luxmikant Vajpai by an OBC Keshav Prasad Maurya who belongs to most backward caste of Kushwaha community’ the saffron party wants to target powerful backward communities who constitute more than 55 per cent of total voters in the state.

BJP is so keen to play the caste card that the party is not bothered about tainted image of Keshav Prasad who is facing 11 criminal cases including that one attempt to murder of Ghaus Mohammad and others including preventing government official from doing government duty and inciting communal violence.

With Keshav taking over as state president, BJP has also given clear message that party would like to play Hindutva card as well. Keshav Prasad Maurya had been associated with RSS, Vishwa Hindu Prarishad and Bajrang Dal. Keshav had been associated with Ram Janambhumi movement and Cow protection agitation and was jailed many times with his involvement in the agitation.

Keshav Prasad Maurya had unssuccessfully contested assembly election in 2002 and 2007 but he was lucky in 2012 when he got elected from Sirathu in Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency which he also won in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Significantly, the appointment of Keshav also indicates that RSS has played role in his appointment as he was given LS ticket from VHP quota. Keshav had been very close to VHP secretary general Ashok Singhal.

Although Keshav Prasad Maurya said that his target would be to form government in the state and achieve the target of 265 plus seats in UP Assembly.

The biggest challenge before Keshav is to enthuse the party workers and leaders who are demoralized even after winning 73 seats in Lok Sabha in 2014.

The demoralization of party MPs was reflected during their recent meeting at the residence of Union Minister Mahesh Sharma when majority of them remained unresponsive to the queries made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP MPs are facing tough time while interacting with their voters in the constituency and are unable to give satisfactory answers about the achievements of Modi government during last two years in power.

Another important challenge before Keshav Prasad would to remove groupism and infighting in the party. There is no towering personality in the state who could influence other leaders to sink their differences. So much so Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also been marginalized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah. Other important leaders Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Kalraj Mishra have also been sidelined. Keshav will have to win over regional satraps who were aspirants for the coveted post of state president.

Keshav Prasad will have to seek blessings from senior leaders who still matter including Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh who had camped for several days during his birthday to project himself as the main face of the party for Mission 2017. Keshav Prasad will have to take blessing from Kalyan to get lodh rajput backward votes for the party.

There is murmur in the party regarding criminal cases pending against Keshav Prasad. Senior leader pointed out that how would he launch attack against Akhilesh Yadav government on the issue of law and order when he himself is facing criminal cases.

Although the appointment of state president is the internal matter of any party but the elevation of Keshav Prasad Maurya evoked sharp criticism from all major political parties.

Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Choudhry said that the appointment of Keshav Prasad exposed BJP's poll agenda which would be communal to divide people on religious line.

Congress general secretary Onkar Singh also said that BJP would aggressively play communal card and it could also revive Ram Janambhumi issue before the elections.

AAP party leaders also condemned the appointment of the person as state president who was facing criminal cases of attempt to murder, loot and spreading enmity among the religious groups.

Much significance is being attached to the silence of Bahujan Samaj Party and its supremo Mayawati on the appointment of a OBC as state president of BJP. Mayawati who never misses any opportunity to attack BJP is silent on this issue as party is also working very hard to win over OBC especially Maurya-Kushwaha communities of MBC. Mayawati does not want to antagonise the backward communities by attacking Keshav Prasad .

There is no doubt that the appointment of Keshav Prasad as BJP state president will accelerate the fight in BJP, BSP and SP to win over OBC to achieve success in Mission 2017. (IPA Service)