times news networkLucknow: BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Friday expressed confidence that people will vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party again in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, scheduled for next year, to “make the lotus bloom” once more in the state.“The way enthusiasm is seen among the workers, the way there is trust among the people in PM Modi and CM Yogi duo and the welcome I received, I express my heartfelt thanks to all the workers for their affection and love,” he said.Nabin sought to invoke Uttar Pradesh’s civilisational and cultural legacy during his first visit to the state after taking over the party’s top organisational post, linking the BJP’s political message with its ideological emphasis on cultural nationalism.“I bow before this sacred land of Uttar Pradesh. This is the land of Lord Ram, the city of Lord Shiva and the city of Lord Krishna,” Nabin said.His references to Ram, Shiva and Krishna appeared aimed at reinforcing the BJP’s long-standing narrative of Uttar Pradesh as the cradle of India’s civilisational heritage. By symbolically invoking Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura in a single statement, Nabin underscored the party’s cultural nationalism plank ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.The BJP chief also invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who represented Lucknow in Parliament for several terms, seeking to connect with the party’s organisational base in the state. The reference projected continuity with the BJP’s political legacy while signalling Nabin’s intent to strengthen the organisation in a key electoral battleground.Nabin arrived in Lucknow on a two-day organisational tour of Uttar Pradesh beginning Saturday. He held a series of meetings with party office-bearers, elected representatives, NDA leaders and prominent personalities from different fields.Welcoming him, UP CM Yogi Adityanath wrote on X: “Heartfelt welcome and greetings to BJP national president Nitin Nabin in Uttar Pradesh, the land of culture, values and creative pursuit, sanctified by the sacred footsteps of Prabhu Shri Ram and Leeladhari Bhagwan Shri Krishna.”The visit is being seen as significant in view of next year’s assembly elections, with the BJP looking to sharpen its strategy, guide the newly constituted state unit and further strengthen its organisation at the grassroots level.Earlier in the day, UP BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary said Nabin’s visit would energise party workers. Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak said party members were eager to welcome the national president.“Party workers have been eagerly waiting for the national president’s visit. We will follow his guidance and directions,” Pathak said.
