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The BJP's initial internal assessment of its fall in tally in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan points to the consolidation of Jat, Dalit, and Muslim votes behind the Opposition and poor poll management, including the selection of candidates, as reasons that may have contributed to its below-par performance.
The BJP leaders said the government’s handling of the 2020-’21 farm agitation and the wrestlers’ protests led to “unhappiness and disenchantment” among Jats.
The BJP leaders admitted that the Opposition’s campaign on the alleged threat to the Constitution worked against the party.
The absence of an enthusiastic cadre was another reason for the poor show, according to the BJP leaders.
In Rajasthan, a state that overwhelmingly voted for the BJP in the last Lok Sabha election and the recent Assembly polls, the party’s vote share fell in all the 14 seats it won, except Jaipur.
The BJP leaders said mismanagement during electioneering also contributed to it losing ground.
In UP, a section of the party blamed a “lack of cooperation from the state administration” while others said the party got candidate selection wrong.
The BJP leaders ruled out any eruption of simmering discontent among the cadre but said the central leadership would have to introspect extensively.
The BJP’s performance in all three states was not up to the expectation. Things may take an unpleasant turn if we do not win those states,” said a senior national BJP leader.