The rise & rise of Bhupendra Yadav

He looks a little young to have wisdom of ages. The political wisdom to weave chunavi chakravyuh, which ensures victories for BJP in all states but Bihar wherever he was made the poll-in-charge. But this 48-year old unassuming master strategist, Bhupendra Yadav has got the midas touch. Much like his mentor Amit Shah, he takes on the task as it comes. Yadav, who has been re-elected as Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan, is likely to get charge of the state when it goes to polls by year-end. But before that, he has his task cut out when BJP locks horns with Congress in the straight fight in Karnataka scheduled in April this year.

“Shah knows Yadav means business. Karnataka is a tough turf. Yadav has been made in charge as BJP doesn’t want to take any chance. After getting through in a tough battle in Gujarat, party knows Yadav can perform in this southern state also,” said a party insider.     

For Yadav, party’s call for him to be in charge of election in any state, is as natural as being the Man Friday of Amit Shah. It all started when his home state Rajasthan was going for polls in 2013, Bhupendra Yadav was not a big name in the Indian politics. BJP made him incharge of the election and Yadav delivered with a bang. BJP won 163 seats out of 200 to announce the rise of a new dhoomketu in the political skyscape. His political acumen and detailing of ground realities in the state helped party strategise the poll in the war room before addressing rallies and public meetings. The effectiveness increased many fold. His inputs and planning bulldozed the Congress government with chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s ‘Suraaj Sankalp Yatra’ covering over 13,000 kms across 33 districts in the state. 

Since then there is no looking back for this ‘Poll Chanakya’ who believes in detailing. He was again made election incharge of Jharkhand in 2014, where BJP-led alliance won 47 out of 82 seats to form the government. However, his winning streak discontinued in the caste-laden Bihar polls, which is so far his only debacle since he was pressed into service as a crucial linchpin in the BJP’s election machine.

The Bihar debacle, however, could not waiver the trust of Amit Shah on him. He returned strongly in UP elections when BJP devastated the caste castle built by BSP and SP to siege the throne in Lucknow. His comeback was a loud answer to opposition and other parties who thought the BJP’s winning rath would be stalled.   

Yadav, the national general secretary and trusted lieutenant of Shah, was then summoned to Gujarat where Congress was putting up a fierce fight. He worked hard on countering the combined force of Congress-Mevani-Hardik to ensure that BJP wrests power for the sixth consecutive time.

For Yadav, there is no breather when poll bugle is in full blow. Now Karnataka is a big challenge for him followed by elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

“We are expecting that Yadav may be given charge of Rajasthan like the last elections. He knows the state well and has a considerable clout. He has the capability of repeating the feat. He has the magic and charisma,” said a BJP leader.

Success Sutra

Bhupendra Yadav has a rare distinction of being close, both to BJP chief Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. So, he maintains a right balance in the party for executing bigger roles. He is a war room strategist with a penchant of detailing. Rather than addressing rallies, conducting public meetings, he believes in discussing the suitability of candidates threadbare. He also strategises moves based on the demography and voting patterns in the past. He focuses on both level tight monitoring – success mantra devised by his mentor Amit Shah. He doesn’t depend on any ready made formula. His strategy has mix of past experience, input of party workers and close monitoring of ground level work. His approach to winning election is scientfic. He doesn’t require any linguistic support. That is why his success is irrespective of state, demography or culture.