Amid BJP membership drive, party sees surge in Muslim members in UP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reported a significant increase in Muslim membership during its ongoing drive in Uttar Pradesh, a state where the Muslim vote has traditionally leaned away from the party. According to BJP figures, over 4.12 lakh Muslims have joined the party by September 30, 2024, more than tripling the number from the last campaign in 2014, when approximately 1.25 lakh Muslims became members.
This surge in membership is seen as a major political shift, especially given that the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh has historically been considered an anti-BJP voter base. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, some political observers attributed the BJP’s reduced seat count in Uttar Pradesh to strategic Muslim voting. However, the current membership campaign suggests a changing narrative.
Kunwar Basit Ali, President of UP BJP’s Muslim Morcha, stated that the number of Muslim members in the state is expected to cross 5 lakh soon, as the drive intensifies. “Now BJP workers will go door to door, engaging with Muslim families to further expand our outreach,” Ali said, adding that the second phase of the membership campaign, which began on September 17, will continue until October 15.
The campaign has seen the most success in the politically crucial regions of Western Uttar Pradesh, followed by Braj and Awadh. The BJP Minority Morcha has played a pivotal role in the drive, organizing events near madrassas, dargahs, and minority educational institutions. The party has also collaborated with influential organizations like Jamaat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH) and Ulama Foundation (UF), whose support has been crucial in reaching out to the Muslim community.
With a growing Muslim membership base, the BJP aims to reshape the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh, signaling a potential shift in its traditional voter base ahead of future elections.