BJP on High Alert in UP as SIR Triggers Massive Voter Name Deletions Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party has moved into emergency operational mode in Uttar Pradesh after the release of the draft Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter list revealed the deletion of nearly 2.89 crore voter names, triggering serious concerns about potential electoral losses. Uttar Pradesh has recorded the highest number of deletions among the 12 states currently undergoing the SIR exercise, with urban constituencies emerging as the most affected.

According to preliminary data, cities such as Lucknow and Ghaziabad witnessed voter deletions of around 30 percent and 28 percent respectively. Significant cuts were also reported from urban centres including Kanpur, Prayagraj, Meerut, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Agra, Saharanpur, Hapur and Balrampur. Party estimates suggest that voter losses have occurred even in Muslim-majority pockets, adding to the scale of the challenge.

BJP leaders fear that the deletions could have a decisive impact in constituencies where the party had secured narrow victories in the last Assembly elections. Internal assessments indicate that in several seats, up to one lakh voters may have been removed from the rolls, despite victory margins ranging between 5,000 and 20,000 votes. Additionally, officials involved in the SIR exercise have identified around 23.69 lakh duplicate voters so far, further complicating the picture.

Taking stock of the situation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a high-level virtual meeting with senior party leaders, including BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary. The meeting was attended by MPs, MLAs, MLCs, ministers, organisational office bearers and district presidents. A separate review meeting was also held by the party’s state organisation to chalk out a recovery strategy.

During the discussions, party legislators were instructed to treat the voter enrolment drive as a personal electoral responsibility. Leaders were directed to ensure that Form-6 applications reach down to the booth, ward and mandal levels without delay. In constituencies lacking sitting MPs or MLAs, the responsibility has been assigned to MLCs and Rajya Sabha members to oversee enrolment and corrections.

The party leadership has emphasised that the exercise must be conducted on a war footing to prevent long-term organisational damage. Mandatory daily booth-level progress reports have been ordered, with district presidents asked to form dedicated teams of ten members each. These teams are required to submit detailed updates to the central leadership every evening, while office bearers have been instructed to remain physically present at booths throughout the campaign period.

Special attention has been directed towards urban voters, who appear to have been disproportionately affected by the deletions. A comprehensive statewide review of the recovery drive is scheduled for January 17, by which time the party hopes to stabilise its voter base.

To ensure tighter monitoring, the BJP high command has deputed K Laxman, who also heads the party’s OBC Morcha, to oversee the process in Uttar Pradesh. The move underscores the seriousness with which the party views the SIR fallout, especially with the 2027 Assembly elections approaching.

As the SIR process continues, the BJP’s ability to mobilise its organisational machinery and restore voter registrations is expected to play a critical role in shaping its electoral prospects in the state.