Interview | U.P. Assembly elections: Backward communities support for BJP intact, says R.P.N. Singh
The Hindu
‘The party is winning on the back of its organisational mobilisation’
Former Union Minister R.P.N. Singh, who recently joined the BJP, speaks to Nistula Hebbar on the party’s poll prospects in the crucial Poorvanchal belt of Uttar Pradesh…..
I can only say it’s a misconception that these communities are not with the BJP. I can clearly see that not only are they with the party but with me joining the BJP it is very clear that their interest is in voting for the BJP and in huge numbers. The only thing is that these communities are not very vocal in expressing their opinion at least in these parts, but I have found that there is no such disenchantment with the party which is being alluded to. In the beginning the tickets are announced, in all parties, we see a bit of movement and resentment, but as the election has progressed I have seen everyone, including those denied tickets, pull together for the party.
Look, to be very clear, after joining the BJP, I have seen that MLAs and MPs etc don’t count. The party is winning on the back of its organisational mobilisation and the work done by Prime Minister Modi and his last mile connect with the poorest of the poor. He [Mr. Swamy Prasad Maurya] was also elected the last time because he was in the BJP.
He has always tried to switch sides with an eye to the main chance but this time he has got the direction of the wind wrong.
My primary work is to campaign as a worker, wherever the party has asked me to, to ensure the victory of the party’s candidates.
Everybody, be it MPs, MLAs, BJP cadre and many civil society outfits tried to pull together to deal with the situation, but this is a once in a century pandemic and the administration was under tremendous pressure. Having said that, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is possibly the only Chief Minister who visited every major hospital and all mandals to ensure that relief was available to the people and the management of the pandemic in Uttar Pradesh.
Singapore's High Commissioner, Simon Wong, is among thousands stranded due to IndiGo's widespread flight cancellations.
TN seeks urgent Supreme Court hearing over a High Court ruling allowing temple worshippers to light lamps, facing accusations of 'drama'.
West Indies tour of New Zealand: New Zealand vs West Indies first Test at Christchurch day 4 on December 5, 2025
Rajasthan HC affirms adults can live together in a relationship regardless of marriageable age, emphasizing constitutional rights.
IndiGo flight disruptions in Kerala persist, stranding hundreds as multiple flights are canceled and delayed for days.
Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College installs a floodgate thanks to the contribution from alumni
The saffron shawl-hijab controversy reignites in Karnataka's Haveri district as students protest non-compliance of uniform code in college.
Traffic restrictions in Delhi during Putin's visit on December 5, 2025, require commuters to plan alternative routes.
Chaos continues at Hyderabad's RGIA as IndiGo cancels 92 flights, bringing total cancellations to 197 in three days.
Karnataka High Court cancels third round MBBS allotment list, instructs KEA to restart the admission process for 2025-26.
Rahul Gandhi blames the IndiGo fiasco on the government's monopoly model, impacting ordinary Indians with travel disruptions and cancellations.
A Microsoft spokesperson said: "Our customers own their data and the actions taken by this customer to transfer their data in August was their choice."
IndiGo faces ongoing flight cancellations, with Delhi departures halted until 3 p.m. on December 5, 2025, amid operational disruptions.