After Mahadev Babu, Surya Pratap Shahi, Ramapati Ram, now the name of Pankaj Chaudhary. Awakening
Dr. Rakesh Rai, Gorakhpur. The role of Gorakhpur region in the organizational politics of the state BJP has been not only influential but also historical. This is the same region which, from time to time, has given such presidents to the state BJP, who have provided ideological strength, organizational expansion and mass base to the party. Since the formation of BJP till now, the name of Gorakhpur region has been continuously associated with the tradition of state leadership.
In the form of Madhav Prasad Tripathi, the state BJP got its first president from Gorakhpur region. In such a situation, it would not be wrong to say that the foundation of BJP in the state was laid in the hands of Gorakhpur region. Ramapati Ram Tripathi and Surya Pratap Shahi carried forward this tradition at different times. Pankaj Chaudhary will be the fourth such worker from the area who will get the opportunity to lead the organization in the state.
If we discuss the state presidents from Gorakhpur region sequentially, then the first name that comes is that of Madhav Prasad Tripathi. After the establishment of Jan Sangh, he was made its first state president. When BJP was formed, he became its first state president. He remained on this post from 1980 to 1984.
This was the period when BJP was in its initial struggle period. Amidst limited resources, weak political base and dominance of Congress, Madhav Babu strengthened the organization by giving ideology based direction. Even today, he is considered to be the front line leader who laid the strong foundation of BJP in the state.
State BJP got its second president from the area in the form of Ramapati Ram Tripathi of Deoria. The tenure of Rampati ji, who was the President from 2007 to 2010, is known for organizational discipline, worker training and organizational expansion. He worked to strengthen the party at the grassroots level and kept the organization united in difficult political circumstances.
The legacy of Ramapati Ram was taken over by another veteran leader of Deoria, Surya Pratap Shahi. He remained the state president for two years i.e. from 2010 to 2012. He is among the leaders who have played influential roles at both the organization and government levels. While being the state president, he laid special emphasis on strengthening the organization up to the booth level, maintaining social balance and increasing communication with the workers.
Experience, coordination and balance were clearly visible in his working style. Even today he is counted among the major strategic and ideological faces of BJP. Even at present he is fulfilling the responsibility of Agriculture Minister in the state government. Pankaj Chaudhary's name is also appearing in this link. Union Minister Pankaj has long experience of both organization and administration.
He is considered a leader emerging from grassroots politics. Direct communication with workers, organizational understanding and regional balance are considered his main strengths. His becoming the state president will further strengthen the confidence of the BJP leadership on the political credibility and organizational capacity of the Gorakhpur region.
Also read- UP: Under BJP rule, Garakhpur became the political power center of Uttar Pradesh, got command of state government and organization.
Rajnath Singh and Kalraj Mishra also have relation with Gorakhpur area. Rajnath Singh and Kalraj Mishra, included in the list of state BJP presidents, may not be counted among the workers of Gorakhpur area, but the workers here consider them as their own. Because Rajnath had made his mark among the workers here while studying in Gorakhpur University. This identity of his still persists in the area.
Kalraj Mishra had adopted Gorakhpur area by becoming BJP MP from Deoria. Had made the workers here his own. Kalraj Mishra took charge of the state BJP as president for eight years in two terms. Rajnath Singh was BJP state president for three years from 1997 to 2000.