By Pradeep Kapoor
LUCKNOW: Even though, the dates for the by polls to the Uttar Pradesh assembly are not out, but all major political parties are gearing up for elections to 10 assembly seats. Since the outcome of these by-elections will decide the mood of the political parties and leaders for 2027 assembly elections, BJP, Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress are mobilising all resources to ensure the victory of their candidates.
Shocked by the poor performance in last Lok Sabha polls in UP, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and entire Sangh Parivar are working day and night in all the constituencies going for the polls. Chief Minister Yogi has staked his prestige in these elections. He is more worried about victory of mandal forces by defeating Kamandal forces. In the state which is known as the prime state of the Hindutva forces in the country.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who is the hardcore Hindutva face of BJP was shocked by defeat of party candidate in very high profile Ayodhya constituency and other neighbouring areas in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced development plan for Ayodhya and neighbouring areas immediately after the election disaster.. He has also deputed over a dozen ministers to look after 10 assembly seats due for by-elections.
BJP leadership and the Sangh Parivar are also involved in the monitoring of preparations for the selection of candidates. There have been several meetings of BJP and the Sangh Parivar for better coordination. and Yogi has taken full responsibility for organizing the poll campaign.
Similarly the main opposition party Samajwadi Party and it’s national President Akhilesh Yadav are involved in the spreading the network of PDA (backwards, dalits and minorities) all over the state in general and 10 assembly seats in particular.
Akhilesh Yadav is very active in taking up the issues of poor governance, deterioration in law and order, fake encounters and government apathy towards backwardness, inflation, issues related to various sections of society especially dalits and minorities. During his campaign, he is attacking BJP government more on economic issues and governance failures rather than for communalist handling.
Congress is member of INDIA bloc along with the SP. The party is very serious regarding forthcoming by-elections for 10 assembly seats and has identified five seats where party wants to put up candidates. Although there has been no discussion on seat sharing with Samajwadi Party so far but exercise is on to identify the seats and possible candidates. They have also identified persons who would look after the campaign. SP may not give the Congress so many seats but there are hopes that an understanding will be reached.
Former chief minister and national President of BSP Mayawati is also worried about the future of her party in view of sharp decline in vote share and defection of senior leaders and workers in past few years. There have been several meetings of BSP leaders and workers after the worst performance in last Lok Sabha polls when the party failed to open account.
Former chief minister Mayawati has overhauled the party set-up several times. Earlier she removed her nephew Akash Anand from number two position but was forced to bring him back in same position. At the same time she is very critical of Samajwadi Party and Congress and blamed them for apathy toward dalits and minorities.
Generally BSP avoids participating in by-elections but the pitiable condition of party in Lok Sabha polls forced the leadership to participate in the by-elections. There is realisation in BSP leadership unless party participates in the by elections it would be difficult to prevent the erosion of support base to other parties.
Significantly, Samajwadi Party and to some extent Congress have gained in shifting of dalit leaders and workers from BSP during last few years. BJP is also working on the strategy to dent in vote share of BSP founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984.
The by-elections are due in Khair (SC), Karhal, Milkipur, Ghaziabad, Kundarki, Sheeshamau, Katehri, Phulpur , Majhwa and Meerapur. (IPA
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