The Yogi 2.0 cabinet in Uttar Pradesh has 10 ministers each from the OBC and upper castes, and two Dalit ministers. After Yogi’s victory in the state polls in March 2022, 53 ministers took oath with him, but the number later dropped to 52 when Jat leader Bhupendra Chaudhary resigned. The latest inductions have brought the total number of ministers in the council to 56, with vacancies still remaining.
One significant reentry into the cabinet is O.P. Rajbhar, the SBSP chief who resigned from the Yogi 1.0 cabinet five years ago. Rajbhar commands influence over the Rajbhar community in eastern UP and has rejoined the NDA. Another notable addition is Dara Singh Chauhan, who has a history of switching parties and rejoined the BJP after resigning from his assembly membership. Sunil Kumar Sharma, a popular Brahmin face from western UP, has been given a ministerial berth amid efforts to woo the Brahmin community. Anil Kumar, an RLD leader from the SC community, has also been inducted as a minister.
The return of these leaders to the cabinet reflects the political dynamics and strategies in Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar’s influence over the OBC community, Chauhan’s record of switching parties, Sharma’s popularity among Brahmins, and Kumar’s association with the SC community all play key roles in the state’s political landscape. Each minister brings their own constituency’s support and vote bank to the table, contributing to the BJP’s aim of consolidating power in the region.
Overall, the recent inductions in the UP cabinet highlight the diversity of caste representation, with ministers from different communities holding key positions. The political calculations behind these appointments reflect the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its base and broaden its appeal across various groups ahead of the upcoming elections.