The BJP has finally launched the crucial phase of "Operation Uttar Pradesh" by handing over the CM's charge to Rajnath Singh, who by saving the then fledgling Kalyan Singh Government after ties with the BSP were broken, had earned the sobriquet of a "Chanakya".

Two factors have apparently spurred the party high command to take the decision: First, the party men feel that urgent corrective steps are needed to reconstruct its vote-base of the upper caste. The exercise had started with the appointment of Kalraj Mishra, a Brahmin, as party president, albeit for the fourth term.

Secondly, the creation of Uttaranchal has thrown up a new challenge. With a majority of barely two MLAs, any CM would require political acumen to keep the government afloat ..

Rajnath Singh enjoys a fairly good rapport with the allies. Though some senior backward caste BJP MLAs are upset over his elevation, the fact is that he does enjoy support of a majority of OBC MLAS of the party.

... Of the three important OBC vote banks of Lodhs, Kurmis, Yadavs, the BJP has already lost Lodhs to Kalyan Singh's Rashtriya Kranti Party. Yadavs have always been with Mulayam Singh Yadav while Kurmis are looking towards their ... Apna Dal.

As for Dalits, while Mayawati has a hold over nine per cent of the most backwards, Union communications Minister Ramvilas Paswan is also trying to dent the vote bank through his Dalit Sena.

The Kurmis are divided from region to region – in Awadh they support the Samajwadi Party, in Rohelkhand they back the BJP. Moreover, it is not possible for the BJP to adopt an aggressive pro-backward tilt as it would alienate the upper caste vote bank, something that the party can ill-afford.

Thus, ... the party leaders (had) to bank upon over 20 per cent upper caste vote, which still wields tremendous social and economic. power ... As for. their political strength, the upper castes have often captured about 150 to 160 assembly seats in a House of 426.

The BJP high command seems to have little option but to project Brahmin-Rajput leaders. This also becomes essential with the Samajwadi Party judiciously trying to chip away the disgruntled Brahmin and Rajput ... leadership. (Source: The Hindustan Times, 25 October, 2000)