In a boost to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, OBC leader Om Prakash Rajbhar has decided to ally with the party and join the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shah welcomed Rajbhar to the NDA, stating that his entry will strengthen the alliance in Uttar Pradesh and further support their efforts for the welfare of the poor and deprived. Rajbhar, who has influence among his Rajbhar community, is expected to attend the NDA meeting on July 18. His alliance with the Samajwadi Party was seen as a factor in the BJP’s average performance in certain regions during the 2022 Assembly polls. Rajbhar had previously been a BJP ally but had parted ways before the elections. The BJP’s efforts to bring him back into the NDA highlight their focus on strengthening their presence in the state, which sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha. The decision of another OBC leader, Dara Singh Chauhan, to resign as a Samajwadi Party MLA is also seen as part of the BJP’s efforts to strengthen their ranks.