A late-night dinner hosted for nearly 40 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators, predominantly from the Brahmin community, at a colleague's residence in Lucknow has sent ripples through Uttar Pradesh's political landscape. The gathering, which took place on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, on the sidelines of the state Assembly's winter session, has become a focal point of intense speculation and debate.
An 'Informal Gathering' or a Sign of Discontent?
While senior BJP leaders were quick to dismiss the event as a casual meet, opposition parties seized the opportunity to claim it reflected deep-seated resentment within the ruling party's Brahmin leadership. The meeting, which began around 7 pm and continued until midnight, was hosted by MLA PN Pathak from the Kushinagar constituency.
Pathak described it as a simple community dinner centered around enjoying litti chokha. "We largely discussed the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state and development works in our areas. We are all satisfied with the state government’s working," he stated, echoing the party's official line that it was a routine informal meeting of MLAs in town for the session.
Contradictory Narratives Emerge
However, accounts from some attendees painted a more complex picture. MLA Anil Tripathi, who was present, revealed that discussions spanned social and political issues over the four-hour duration. "One of our biggest concerns was that our community contributed significantly to the formation of Bharat, but today, people of Brahmin samaj are being humiliated in society," Tripathi told mediapersons. He insisted this was a social concern, not a critique of the government.
Sources privy to the discussions indicated that alleged bias against the Brahmin community and feelings of being sidelined were key topics. The need for unity to raise their voice was also reportedly stressed. This gathering follows a similar informal meeting of the party's Kshatriya MLAs during the monsoon session, adding a pattern that political observers are noting.
Political Reactions and Fallout
The opposition was swift to comment. Samajwadi Party MLA Amitabh Bajpai claimed the meeting was unsurprising, alleging that Brahmins within the BJP were facing action while others received preferential treatment. "It is clear that members of the ruling party are divided," he asserted.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier in the year, BJP minister Pratibha Shukla had staged a dharna, alleging disrespect towards Brahmins. The viral video of the Tuesday dinner has further fueled the narrative. Reacting to the development, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar suggested that communities with grievances should approach the Chief Minister or Prime Minister directly.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and other leaders have repeatedly urged that the event "should not be seen from the caste or any other angle." Despite these clarifications, the 'sahbhoj' has undoubtedly heated UP's political climate, highlighting the enduring complexities of caste and community in the state's power dynamics.
