BJP to Launch State-Wide Campaign for Dr Ambedkar Murti Vikas Yojana
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Uttar Pradesh is launching a comprehensive outreach initiative targeting the Dalit electorate through the implementation of the Dr Ambedkar Murti Vikas...
- To mark the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar on April 14, 2026, the BJP has organized a massive special exercise across the state.
- On April 7, 2026, the government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath released ₹403 crore to fund the upkeep and maintenance of the statues.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Uttar Pradesh is launching a comprehensive outreach initiative targeting the Dalit electorate through the implementation of the Dr Ambedkar Murti Vikas Yojana. This program focuses on the beautification, development and maintenance of statues of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar across all 403 assembly constituencies in the state.
To mark the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar on April 14, 2026, the BJP has organized a massive special exercise across the state. Local public representatives, including Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs), will engage with citizens to provide information regarding the scheme and the specific sites selected for development.
Funding and Scope of the Murti Vikas Yojana
On April 7, 2026, the government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath released ₹403 crore to fund the upkeep and maintenance of the statues. Each of the 403 assembly constituencies has been allocated ₹1 crore for the development of 10 statues.
The scheme specifically covers statues installed in public locations, including municipal bodies, panchayats, and government land. The planned works for these sites include:
- Installation of canopies or umbrellas over the statues for protection.
- Construction of boundary walls.
- Beautification efforts involving enhanced lighting and greenery.
While the primary focus is on Dr Ambedkar, the initiative also extends to other social justice leaders. Statues of Sant Ravidas, Sant Kabirdas, Jyotiba Phule, and Maharishi Valmiki are included in the program. The first phase of the project covers statues that were installed by December 31, 2025.
Political Context and Outreach Strategy
The push for these memorials comes as the 2027 assembly elections approach. Political analysts suggest the initiative is a strategic move to rebuild the BJP’s social coalition following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party saw a reduction in its tally in Uttar Pradesh.
In the 2024 elections, the combine of the Samajwadi Party and Congress secured 43 of the state’s 80 seats, while the BJP secured 36. The impact was particularly noted in SC-reserved constituencies; of the 17 such seats, the BJP won eight, while the Samajwadi Party won seven and the Congress won one. The Bahujan Samaj Party’s former seat in Nagina was won by Chandra Shekhar Azad of the Aazad Samaj Party.
In addition to the infrastructure project, the state government is organizing Yuva Samvad Sangams
, or youth dialogue confluences. These events are designed for Ministers, MPs, and MLAs to connect with the public and discuss Dr Ambedkar’s ideas regarding Constitutional values, social justice, and equality.
Broad Political Activity
The BJP is not the only entity focusing on the April 14 anniversary. Multiple political parties in Uttar Pradesh, including the Congress, the Samajwadi Party (SP), and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), have planned large-scale events to observe the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar as a means of reaching out to the state’s Dalit electorate.