More so PM Narendra Modi is one of the 71 BJP MPs elected from Uttar Pradesh. Two are held by Apna Dal, taking total number to 73 out of 80 seats from UP in Lok Sabha. It is a different matter that relations between BJP and Apna Dal have hit the rock bottom, with the minor NDA partner asking BJP to respect smaller parties and its senior leader and union minister of state for health Anupriya Patel skipping a programme of chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Deoria.

The defeat of BJP in three states is being cited as proof that PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath cannot ensure victory for party candidates. It is being pointed out that BJP lost many seats in these three states where Modi and Yogi campaigned.

The appointment of Gordhan Zadafia has also become controversial in view of the fact that he is considered to be the face of aggressive Hindutva as he was home minister in Gujarat in 2002 when the communal riots took place. He is also credited with full support from RSS. Observers feel this may have influenced the decision to give him the charge of U, which will virtually decide the destiny of central government in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Gordhan Zadafia had left BJP in 2009 and returned in 2014 but was not given any responsible position in the party.

There is increasing realisation in the RSS-BJP camp that it would be very difficult for retain the 73 seats BJP won with help of allies when Yogi Adityanath could not save even the Gorakhpur seat from where he had won five times. Besides Gorakhpur, BJP lost in other by-elections for Lok Sabha and assembly seats during Yogi’s rule.

There is much anti-incumbency against the Yogi government, especially on the issues of law and order and corruption. There can’t be anything more shocking that personal staff of three important ministers have been caught in a sting operation against corruption.

Gordhan Zadafia is facing the biggest challenge from the possible alliance of Samajwadi Party and BSP. If these two parties come together, which looks almost a foregone conclusion, it is going to be major setback for BJP.

Encouraged by the success in the three states Congress is planning to contest all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP to capture votes against BJP, SP and BSP.

Although the issues of Ram temple, cow protection and triple talaq are being raised to polarise votes, the team of Yogi Adityanath, Gordhon Zadafia and powerful general secretary Sunil Bansal has a tough task to retain those seats won 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Although BJP is playing Kamandal (hindutva) and Mandal (caste) cards, still it would be a tall order for Gordhan Zadafia and his team to achieve the target set for them. (IPA Service)