A Deep Dive into UP's Leadership: Yadav's Masterpiece

Tish Malhotra | किताबें | Jan 31, 2025 | 532

Investigative journalist Shyamlal Yadav has written a very insightful book on the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh. The book, published by Rupa, is aptly titled, "At the Heart of Power : The Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh". This well-researched book is 'richly anecdotal and sharply analytical' (Rajdeep Sardesai) and 'a must-read for anyone who wants to understnd the political culture of Uttar Pradesh' (Ram Bahadur Rai). Tish Malhotra has reviewed this book for us. 

A Deep Dive into UP's Leadership: Yadav's Masterpiece

Tish Malhotra

The decline of Indian politics has been a focal point for both Indian and international media, with various platforms continuously monitoring the situation. In this context, a significant, timely, and engaging book emerged last year, serving as an essential reference for those studying Indian politics. Titled 'At the Heart of Power - The Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh,' this book, authored by Shyamlal Yadav and published by Rupa, delves into the governance of Uttar Pradesh since 1952. It also provides a concise overview of the state's governance prior to that period, along with its historical and cultural significance. The book features detailed biographical sketches of the political lives of various leaders.

Shyam Lal YadavThe author brings a wealth of experience in investigative journalism, having closely observed and reported on elections in Uttar Pradesh for many years. Born and raised in UP, he has witnessed the evolution of the state's political landscape firsthand. Currently, he is a key member of the Indian Express reporting and editorial team.

Studying this book in the year that marks the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution is particularly significant. Before delving further, it is essential to acknowledge the book's poignant dedication by the author to his daughter Shreeti, who tragically passed away at a young age. Our heartfelt prayers go out to her soul and the well-being of her parents.

From Govind Ballabh Pant, the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, to Yogi Adityanath, the current CM, the book offers an analytical assessment of all Chief Ministers, detailing their party affiliations, tenures, constituencies, and days in office in the country’s most populous state. This meticulously researched work provides profound insights into the personalities of 21 individuals, exploring their ideologies, policies, and leadership styles. When one thinks of UP, names like Chaudhary Charan Singh, H.N. Bahuguna, N.D. Tiwari, V.P. Singh, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kalyan Singh, Mayawati, Rajnath Singh, and Akhilesh Yadav come to mind. The book vividly details their political journeys and inside stories.

Studying the politics of this landlocked and most populous state, which has continually shaped India's electoral landscape, is of immense importance as it sends a significant number of MPs to the Lok Sabha. Notably, nine Prime Ministers of India have either been residents of or elected from UP: Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Charan Singh, Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh, Chandra Shekhar, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Narendra Modi. As Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor at India Today, aptly remarks in his comments on the book, “The road to Delhi has often run through Lucknow.” This political significance has naturally made UP a battleground for numerous bitter political contests and upheavals over the years.

The state, having produced prominent leaders for the nation, should have been at the forefront of national growth. Unfortunately, it became a dismal picture of lost opportunities due to the deteriorating state of its political affairs. The book is replete with facts illustrating how political power struggles, rather than providing effective leadership to propel the state up the ladder of social and economic development, led it down a bleak path. The study of this book allows readers to easily identify the reasons behind the leadership failures of various parties.

The book extensively discusses the political, social, and economic challenges plaguing Uttar Pradesh. The primary cause of these issues has been the careless squandering of the mandate. Instead of establishing a robust and resilient infrastructure to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth, the state has suffered greatly due to caste-based politics, communal divides, violent sectarian clashes, the perpetuation of dynastic rule, the Mandir-Masjid dispute, appeasement policies, vote bank creation, the criminalization of politics, and the politicization of criminals, as well as bureaucratic indifference and resistance to necessary changes. Lost in narrating the details of the woeful state of affairs, when the author tries to look around for some positive aspects of development, he finds their number to be very small.  Even that gets distorted by the details of political chicanery on the parts of the leaders from UP and Delhi.  

The author has given the subtitle to the last chapter on Yogi Adityanath as “A New Era for UP.”  On 27 February 2023 he has become the longest serving CM of UP.  He has the advantage of the State and Central governments being run by the same party.  With the support of the Prime Minister and other leaders, there is tremendous opportunity for him to lead the state with a clear-cut agenda for development. The author concludes the chapter with the remarks: “His popularity is on the rise, and his story should not be considered as complete for now.”  Perhaps  it may be added to it that to fulfil the mandate, all his political, socio, economic, and cultural policies for the development of UP should aim at realizing the true meaning of serving all members of UP families in the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

The implicit conclusion of the book is that politics has become a power game played by influential leaders. However, they must remember that politics also involves collective decision-making by resolving differences, overcoming confrontations, setting aside individual ambitions, forgetting personal frustrations, rising above the notion of turning parties into family enterprises, reaching a consensus for societal upliftment, strengthening democratic institutions, and contributing collectively to nation-building. This book will undoubtedly equip not only students of Indian politics but also general readers with a well-informed perspective on the political and related issues facing the nation today.

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Tish Malhotra is a Delhi-based freelancer.

At the Heart of Power : The Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh by Shyamlal Yadav, published by Rupa Publications, Price Rs. 395/-

 



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