BJP’s surprise pick for third Rajya Sabha seat:How Mahesh Kevat’s name was cleared; what role did UP connection play

Mahesh Kewat, who became the chairman of the Fishermen Welfare Board a month ago, filed his nomination for the third Rajya Sabha seat on Monday. Kewat, who comes from the fisherman community, was expelled four years ago due to anti-party activities. His expulsion was revoked four months before the 2023 assembly elections. By finalizing Kewat’s name for the third seat, the BJP has indicated playing the Kewat card in the UP elections along with MP. What are its political equations and potential impact? Read the report First, know how Kewat’s name was decided First, Delhi’s Green Light Was Received
Delhi’s stance on the third Rajya Sabha seat was clear. The central leadership had stated that if the BJP wanted to contest the third seat, they had no objection, but the state unit would have to fight the entire battle on its own. Delhi also clarified that it would have no direct involvement in the election. ‘Electoral Chakravyuh’ Prepared on Sunday
According to sources, after receiving the green light from Delhi, a series of meetings took place at the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday. In the afternoon, Cabinet Minister Rakesh Singh and former Minister Narottam Mishra met with the Chief Minister. By evening, Regional Organization Secretary Ajay Jamwal, State In-charge Dr. Mahendra Singh, and BJP State President Hemant Khandelwal also arrived at the CM House, where the ‘Chakravyuh’ (strategic formation) for the Rajya Sabha elections was finalized. Besides Kewat, there were two more candidates
The selection of the third candidate was not a decision made by a single person. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, State President Ajay Jamwal, State In-charge Mahendra Singh, and members of the core group collectively made this decision. Many names were deliberated upon. The names of Sitaram Batham and Raju Batham were also considered. Rahul Kothari’s name also came up for discussion, but the equations changed due to Rajneesh’s prior nomination from the Vaishya community. After this, attention was given to the SC-ST and OBC categories. The names of Vinod Gotia, Lal Singh Arya, and Shailendra Barua were also considered, but ultimately, consensus was reached on Mahesh Kewat’s name. Political journey from expulsion to nomination
The most interesting aspect of this development is that the BJP has bet today on the same leader who was expelled from the party on charges of ‘cross-voting’. In 2022, during the Niwari Nagar Parishad President election, 11 workers, including Mahesh Kewat, were expelled for six years due to anti-party activities. It was alleged that they had voted in favor of the Congress in the election held in the presence of the then minister Bhupendra Singh. Among those expelled were Mandal President Sanjay Naqib and Mahesh Kewat. Later, they returned to the party, and a month ago, they were made the chairman of the Fishermen Welfare Board with the status of Minister of State, which also raised questions. BJP targeted UP along with MP
Political analysts believe that Mahesh Kewat’s selection is not limited to just one election, but is part of the preparation for the 2028 assembly elections. Three main reasons are being cited behind this- Attempt to woo UP’s Bundelkhand
According to media reports, the Nishad community’s share in the total voters of UP is about 4.5 percent. The number of Nishad caste voters reaches about one lakh on 80 assembly seats. Moreover, this community holds influence on more than 160 assembly seats. The Nishad community has a strong political and social influence in Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba, and Chitrakoot, which border MP’s Bundelkhand-Vindhya region. In the riverine areas of Gwalior-Chambal division, sub-castes like Nishad, Kewat, Mallah, and Bind reside in large numbers. Nishad community leaders were in the headlines in UP
Two months ago, leaders of the Nishad community were in discussion in UP. BJP had made Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti the chairperson of the Backward Classes Commission. After this, Sanjay Nishad, the chief of Nishad Party and a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, became upset. In response, the Samajwadi Party made Phoolan Devi’s sister, Rukmani Devi, the state president of its women’s wing.