Lucknow: BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawade arrived in Lucknow on Saturday for his first visit to Uttar Pradesh after being appointed the party’s state in-charge, signaling the beginning of an intensified organisational drive ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Soon after his arrival, Tawade targeted Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and took a sharp political swipe at the SP’s much-publicised “PDA” strategy. Referring to the opposition party’s formulation, which stands for Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak (backward classes, Dalits and minorities), Tawade gave the acronym a different and mocking interpretation.
“PDA and SP mean ‘Paraya Dhan Apna’. NDA will never let this happen,” Tawade told reporters after reaching Lucknow. He further indicated that the BJP would respond directly to slogans and political messaging built around the Samajwadi Party’s PDA formula.
Tawade’s remarks assume significance as political preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections begin gathering momentum in Uttar Pradesh. The PDA formulation has become a key component of Akhilesh Yadav’s electoral strategy, with the Samajwadi Party seeking to consolidate support among backward classes, Dalits and minority communities.
By taking on the PDA narrative at the outset of his assignment, Tawade has made it clear that countering the SP’s political messaging will be an important part of the BJP’s strategy in the run-up to the polls.
Tawade was appointed the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge in August, replacing the party’s previous organisational arrangement. His appointment comes at a crucial juncture, with the BJP stepping up preparations for the next Assembly election in a state that continues to hold enormous importance for the party’s wider political and electoral calculations.
Uttar Pradesh, with its large electorate and significant representation in Parliament, remains central to the BJP’s national political strategy. Tawade’s new responsibility therefore places him at the centre of an important organisational exercise aimed at strengthening the party’s preparations across the state.
Interestingly, Tawade’s arrival in Lucknow was marked by a relatively low-key welcome. Unlike the grand receptions and extensive hoardings often associated with visits by senior BJP leaders, he had reportedly instructed party workers against organising an elaborate welcome or putting up large displays.
The decision reflected his emphasis on keeping the visit focused on organisational matters and preparations for the 2027 elections rather than ceremonial celebrations.
Senior BJP leaders, including Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary and other state office-bearers, were present at the airport to welcome the newly appointed state in-charge.
Tawade’s first visit has thus set an early political tone for the BJP’s campaign preparations in Uttar Pradesh, with the party signalling that it intends to directly challenge the Samajwadi Party’s PDA narrative while simultaneously concentrating on strengthening its organisational machinery ahead of the electoral battle.
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