A major upheaval is possible in UP politics with the beginning of 2026. Yogi cabinet expansion after Makar Sankranti, BJP’s new OBC strategy, Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA Plus bet and the alleged secret offer of Mayawati-Congress can change the political picture of 2027. With the beginning of the new year 2026, the stir in the politics of Uttar Pradesh has intensified. There are indications in the political circles that the picture of alliance, strategy and balance of power may change completely in the coming months. From the Yogi government’s cabinet expansion after Makar Sankranti to Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘PDA Plus’ strategy and the alleged secret offer of Mayawati-Congress, the politics of UP seems to be moving towards a new turn. With the beginning of the year, the Bharatiya Janata Party has started drawing a blueprint for preparations for 2027. As soon as Kharmas ends, i.e. after Makar Sankranti, discussions are going on about a major reshuffle in the cabinet of Yogi government. According to sources, some old ministers may be sent to the organization, while new and caste balancing faces may get a place in the cabinet. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s focus will remain on law and order and hardcore Hindutva, while preparations are on to implement BJP’s OBC Plus strategy through new state president Pankaj Chaudhary. The recent two-day brainstorming with police officers also clearly indicates that the government will make law and order the biggest issue in the 2027 elections. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is also going to redesign his strategy in 2026. SP, which till now has been doing politics with the support of Backwards, Dalits and Minorities (PDA), is now trying to include the upper castes in it. Sensing the alleged resentment of Brahmins within BJP, Akhilesh Yadav has taken the line of ‘PDA Plus’. From Ayodhya to Ballia, Brahmin faces are being brought forward. It is believed that the effect of the changing political equations of Bihar can be seen on UP also. However, there are signs of sourness in the relations between SP and Congress regarding Rajya Sabha seats and Panchayat elections.
2026 is being considered very important for the Bahujan Samaj Party. According to political experts, this year is like a ‘semi-final’ for BSP. Party supremo Mayawati may take some tough and shocking decisions during this period. Sources claim that a proposal for alliance has been sent to Mayawati on behalf of Congress state in-charge Avinash Pandey. A section of the Congress believes that the Dalit-Muslim equation could be stronger by going with the BSP instead of the SP. It is being told that to reactivate the organization, Mayawati can take her nephew and possible successor Akash Anand on the streets.
The elections for about 10 Rajya Sabha seats and Panchayat elections to be held this year are considered to decide the direction of the politics of Uttar Pradesh. From these results it will be clear who will stand with whom in the final contest of 2027 and who is going to get the biggest political shock. In the politics of Uttar Pradesh, 2026 is not just a year but seems to be the foundation of the coming power struggle.