The Uttar Pradesh government has appointed Aparna Yadav as the vice-president of the State Women’s Commission. Aparna Yadav is the younger daughter-in-law of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. She left the SP and joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in January, just before the 2022 UP elections. After more than two years, Aparna Yadav has now been given a big responsibility, at a time when by-elections are to be held on 10 assembly seats in UP. Now after this decision of the government, the question is whether making Aparna Yadav the vice-president of the UP Women’s Commission is a coincidence or a strategy of the BJP?
These questions are being raised because Aparna joined BJP in 2022 and after that, there was talk of her candidature in every election, from assembly to Lok Sabha. Every time it was speculated that BJP could field Aparna against a member of the Yadav family. But this did not happen. Aparna did not have any active role or major role in BJP. Now BJP, which lagged behind SP in the Lok Sabha elections, has appointed Aparna as the Vice President of the State Women’s Commission before the assembly by-election, so it is being seen as a strategic move.
Did BJP give the post to Aparna for these reasons?
By-elections and Karhal factor: The by-elections in the state have become a matter of prestige for the BJP. To reduce the sting of defeat in the Faizabad seat in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is now putting all its efforts to defeat the SP in its stronghold. The Karhal seat itself has fallen vacant due to the resignation of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. The dates for the by-election have not been announced and CM Yogi’s program has also been held in Karhal. In the recent Lok Sabha elections and the assembly elections before that, Aparna campaigned for the BJP but avoided going to those seats from where members of the Yadav family were in the fray. It is being said that after being made the vice-president of the State Women’s Commission, Aparna may be seen campaigning in Karhal.
Strategy to keep Aparna in the party: Despite leaving SP and joining BJP, Aparna Yadav has been avoiding harsh statements about Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav or any other member of the family. Aparna had also said during the Lok Sabha elections that she respects her family a lot. On this, her sister-in-law Dimple Yadav had said, ‘I also respect them a lot.’ After the strong performance of SP in the recent Lok Sabha elections, Aparna may return home by talking about neglect in BJP, so this step is also being linked to a strategy to keep her in the party by giving her a respectable position.
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Strategy to corner SP on women’s issue: Ever since the Lok Sabha election results, BJP and CM Yogi himself have been cornering SP on the issue of crimes against women. CM Yogi had attacked SP over the rape allegation against a close aide of Awadhesh Prasad, the MP from Faizabad parliamentary constituency of which Ayodhya is a part. Now CM Yogi is attacking SP over the case of Nawab Singh Yadav of Kannauj. CM Yogi, who reached Karhal a day earlier, said, “The Nawab brand of Kannauj is the real face of SP.” If State Women Commission Vice President Aparna Yadav is vocal on matters related to women, then this voice rising from the Yadav family can prove to be uncomfortable for SP and Akhilesh himself.
Also read: Yogi government entrusted big responsibility to Aparna Yadav, made her the vice-president of UP Women’s Commission
Message to strong faces of other parties: First, Dara Singh Chauhan was made a minister despite losing the Ghosi by-election and now Aparna was crowned, BJP has given a message to the strong faces of other parties before the by-elections of 10 seats that the respect of outsiders is also being taken care of in the party. If someone joins the party, he will not be ignored.
Who is Aparna Yadav?
Aparna Yadav is the wife of Prateek Yadav, son of SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife Sadhna Gupta. Former UP Chief Minister and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav gave Aparna a ticket from Lucknow Cantt seat in the 2017 elections. Aparna then lost to BJP candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi. Aparna was also a contender for a ticket from SP in the 2022 elections, but she joined BJP in January even before the announcement of the election schedule. Since then, there have been talks of Aparna’s candidature for the Assembly and Lok Sabha as well as Legislative Council elections, but BJP did not give her a ticket. During the recent Lok Sabha elections, Aparna also met BJP General Secretary BL Santosh in Delhi, but the discussion of candidature remained mere speculation.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)