Scripting the Success Saga in UP – BJP grows from strength to strength under the Presidentship of Swatantra Dev Singh

The first taste of success always whets the appetite to achieve more and this is what the very first year in office as Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president has done to Swatantra Dev Singh, who is spearheading his party’s motto ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ in letter and spirit, and relentlessly rendering his duties, services for social-welfare cause with utmost sincerity. On July 16, he completed his one year term as party president in the state.

Ramanand Prajapati, from Prayagraj, said that BJP workers have been doing a remarkable job in the times of Corona crisis. Ration, water, food, masks, medicines etc. are being made available at people’s doorstep.

Mamta Singh of Chakund, a village in the hill sector of Karvi Mandal of Chitrakoot Assembly, said that on the appeal of the BJP, many women are distributing home stitched masks. Shravan Kumar Mishra of Barabanki says that seeing the BJP workers engaged in selfless human service during this epidemic, he was inspired to do more and more noble service. Undoubtedly, it’s a praiseworthy step by such a political party which is running a huge social service campaign.

These are a few examples which show how the BJP unit of Uttar Pradesh is trying its best to minimise the agony of the people during the pandemic. The social welfare cause being done by BJP to help the needy is evident to the public. People have praised the efforts of the state government and volunteer workers.

Behind all this lies the hard work of State President Swatantra Dev Singh, who is the guiding light of the entire relief campaign. His leadership has been proved remarkable through his actions as the state BJP head.

As is the case Singh has always proved his mettle time and again on many fronts. And, because of his noble actions and efforts during these trying times, BJP’s credibility has increased in the state today. It’s no denying the fact that his endeavours have yielded fruitful results. In UP, 4 crore 32 lakh people were served food by BJP workers under his leadership. This is a record in itself.

About party’s service work, Swatantra Dev Singh said that ration was distributed to 40 lakh 54 thousand poor. Aarogya Setu App was installed in the mobiles of 2 crore people while masks were distributed to 92 lakh 44 thousand people. Singh honoured the frontline Corona Warriors, who were working relentlessly and selflessly amid lockdown. A total of 2 lakh 35 thousand such corona warriors were honoured who ensured health and hygiene on 92 thousand 754 booths.

When everything was at a standstill in lockdown, people were locked in the houses, the entire state unit led by Swatantra Dev opted for the digital mode and contacted the village workers. Through 377 audio conferences, the state unit contacted one lakh 54 thousand 683 workers and 19,869 workers from 296 video conferences and put the party’s relief programs on the ground. It can be said that the most successful example of BJP’s digital activities is that even senior citizens like 75-year-old Triveni Ram living in the village also became tech savvy.

Under the able stewardship of Swatantra Dev Singh, the party organised a wide range of social service programs in poverty-stricken areas this year on party’s foundation day and Ambedkar Jayanti. The noticeable thing is that many social organisations came forward to join hands, taking inspiration from the service work of the state BJP unit. For instance, Radha Swami Satsang Vyas Ashram Pilkhani of Saharanpur checked up 10 to 12 thousand migrants on party’s appeal. Provided milk, food and medicine for the children. Sucheta John, principal of a school in Hathras, waived the children’s fee for 3 months on the party’s appeal.

All this could become possible because Swatantra Dev Singh has worked at grassroots level within BJP and has strong bonding with party workers across the state.

Uttar Pradesh BJP launched a big campaign for migrant workers under the direction and proficient leadership of Swatantra Dev Singh. Relief service centres were opened at 185 places. A total of 10 lakh 35 thousand migrant workers were provided with food and essentials. Two lakh migrants were given masks. The state BJP unit provided slippers to 47 thousand migrants who were travelling barefoot. Singh used an audio bridge for the first time on March 31 to communicate with the workers after the lockdown. Thereafter, on April 6, on the party’s foundation day, he organised a video conference with party MPs and MLAs. After this, the process of communication with remote workers started through technology. Now everyday Singh monitors the activities of the party all over the state through technology.

BJP workers of Uttar Pradesh derive a lot of inspiration from Swatantra Dev Singh and his journey from a small place to getting a big place in UP politics. Singh comes from an agriculturist family. Originally hailing from village Ori of Mirzapur, he is the youngest of three brothers. After high school education from his village school in Mirzapur, he moved to Kalpi in Bundelkhand in 1980 with elder brother Shripat Singh who works in the police department. After completing his education from MSV Intercollege, he completed his BSc from DDC Degree College, Orai. Though he was born in Purvanchal, Bundelkhand turned out to be lucky for him as his karmabhoomi.

Singh came in contact with Sangh as a student. He started attending shakhas. In 1986, he joined ABVP, a student organisation of the Sangh Parivar. According to his leadership potential, he got the responsibility of the sangathan mantri of Vidyarthi Parishad in 1988. Thereafter he joined journalism. Singh became the Orai District Correspondent of the then famous Swatantra Bharat newspaper in 1990. Then he leaned towards politics from journalism. In 1991, Singh was given the responsibility of in-charge of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha of Bundelkhand and later Kanpur. Later on, he became the General Secretary of BJYM.

In 2000, Swatantra Dev Singh accomplished many remarkable jobs in the capacity of state general secretary of BJYM. He surprised everyone, including his opponents, by gathering a huge crowd of one lakh in Agra. The session was considered historic by the party. After this, Singh never looked back in corridors of politics. Ever since Singh came into politics, he has always been organising elephantine rallies and yatras. His powerful voice and great oratory skills are one of his biggest assets. Party workers feel a connection with him. His network among workers and organising skills are wonderful. Working as general secretary of BJYM, He got experience of working at grassroots level in every district of state, developing a close bond with party workers.

In 2004, Swatantra dev Singh was handed over the command of the General Secretary of the State BJP. He also became MLC. Later on, in 2010 the party bestowed him with the post of BJP state vice-president. Then he became the General Secretary. In 2017, when the BJP government was formed in Uttar Pradesh, Singh became transport minister in Yogi government. When the then state president Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey became a cabinet minister in the Modi government after winning the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party handed over the command of the state organisation to Swatantra Dev Singh in his place. He was named the state president on July 16, 2019. Since then, Swatantra Dev Singh has been rendering his services for the party and people with full zeal and dedication.