The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has signalled an early start to its campaign for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections by launching a two-pronged strategy of organisational restructuring and grassroots mobilisation in its stronghold of western Uttar Pradesh. This move comes days after the party's national executive resolved to overhaul its organisational structure in the state.
Public Rallies in Shamli and Moradabad
The RLD has lined up major public rallies featuring Union minister and party president Jayant Chaudhary. The first rally is scheduled for June 4 in Kabaraut village of the Shamli Sadar constituency, which is represented by RLD MLA Prasanna Chaudhary. The second rally will take place on June 10 in the Thakurdwara constituency of Moradabad, a seat won by Samajwadi Party's Nawab Jan in the 2022 Assembly elections. Notably, the SP was an RLD ally at that time.
According to RLD state general secretary Aatir Rizvi, the party seeks to build poll fervour in its stronghold as part of preparations for the 2027 elections. A senior RLD member added that the party aims to augment its position in constituencies where it can stake claim as an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Strategic Choice of Locations
The selection of Shamli and Moradabad is seen as a calculated move. Shamli is one of the RLD's influential pockets, where it enjoys substantial support from its traditional Jat and Gurjar voter base. Similarly, Thakurdwara is a constituency where the rally is reportedly being organised by BSP turncoat Vijay Yadav, who joined the RLD earlier this year. Yadav had won the seat on a BSP ticket in 2007.
Interestingly, the RLD has never won from Thakurdwara. The SP's Nawab Jan has been winning the seat since the 2014 Assembly bypoll, which was necessitated after BJP's Kunwar Sarvesh Singh vacated the seat. Analysts suggest that the RLD has been seeking to raise its stature since it joined the NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Political Challenges and Identity
The alliance with the BJP has provided the RLD greater access to power at the Centre, culminating in Jayant Chaudhary's induction into the Union Cabinet. However, it has also created new political challenges, including the need to retain its traditional farmer-centric identity while aligning with the BJP's wider political narrative. The RLD's early campaign underscores its intent to consolidate its base and expand its influence in western Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.
