BJP leader Smriti Irani on Saturday, 4 July 2026, expressed deep grief over the passing of Dada Tej Bhan Singh, a former BJP MLA from Amethi who had devoted nearly five decades to the party and its predecessor organisation. Irani described the loss as both a public bereavement and a deeply personal one, calling Singh a guardian figure who stood by her at every step of her first Lok Sabha contest in the constituency.

Context

In her post, Irani wrote — 'अमेठी में भारतीय जनता पार्टी की विचारधारा को विपरीत परिस्थितियों में भी दृढ़ता के साथ आगे बढ़ाने वाले' ('one who advanced the ideology of the BJP in Amethi with steadfastness even in adverse circumstances') — underscoring the significance of Singh's contribution to a constituency that was long considered a Congress stronghold. She noted that the news of his death was 'extremely painful and a personal loss' for her.

Dada Tej Bhan Singh had begun his political journey with the Jan Sangh in 1977, and was among those who carried the organisational baton into the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980. He continued to serve the party until the final moments of his life, according to Irani's tribute.

Policy Backdrop

The Jan Sangh, the ideological forerunner of the BJP, drew heavily on a cadre of grassroots workers across Uttar Pradesh who later became the founding backbone of the BJP. Amethi, a Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh, was for decades synonymous with the Gandhi family of the Congress party, making the presence of committed BJP workers there a matter of particular organisational significance.

It was in this context that Smriti Irani first contested the 2014 general election from Amethi, a campaign she describes as having been shaped in part by Singh's mentorship. BJP leaders have consistently used public tributes to long-serving grassroots functionaries to reinforce the party's identity as a cadre-driven movement that honours loyalty across generations.

Stakeholders and Impact

For Amethi's BJP workers and party veterans, Singh's death marks the end of an era that stretches back to the pre-BJP political landscape of the 1970s. Irani described him as a 'dedicated worker and an affectionate guide' whose like would be difficult to find again on the soil of Amethi.

She specifically recalled that during the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Singh stood by her 'like a guardian at every step,' and that his affection, guidance, and unshakeable faith in the organisation had been a 'constant source of strength' from that electoral contest until now. His passing leaves a generational void in the party's local structure in the constituency.

What's Next

Irani concluded her tribute with a prayer — 'ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत पुण्यात्मा को अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान दें' ('I pray to God to grant the departed soul a place at His feet') — and sought strength for the bereaved family and supporters. Reactions from other senior BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh are awaited, and the party's local unit in Amethi may organise events to honour Singh's legacy. His passing is likely to prompt reflection within the organisation on the generation of Jan Sangh-era workers who built the BJP's presence in constituencies where the party once had little foothold.