In High-Stakes UP Bypolls, BJP Aims to Regain Lost Ground, SP Looks to Keep LS Momentum
30.06.2024: In the wake of the recent Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for by-elections in 10 Assembly seats across the state. Nine of these seats were vacated as their incumbent MLAs chose to retain the Lok Sabha constituencies they won, while Sishamau was vacated following the disqualification of its SP MLA, Irfan Solanki.
The political landscape in these 10 seats has shifted significantly after the Lok Sabha poll results. The ruling BJP-led NDA and the resurgent Opposition INDIA alliance, spearheaded by the Samajwadi Party (SP), are now strategizing to outmaneuver each other in these bypolls.
Current Political Equations in the 10 Assembly Seats
Karhal
Karhal, in Mainpuri district, was won by Akhilesh Yadav in the 2022 polls, defeating BJP candidate S P Singh Baghel. The SP, confident of retaining this seat, is likely to field a member of the Akhilesh Yadav family. The BJP, however, is preparing for a tough fight to establish its presence in the region.
Milkipur
The Milkipur seat in Ayodhya district is vacant after SP MLA Awadhesh Prasad was elected as the Faizabad (Ayodhya) MP. This seat is set to be a prestige fight between the BJP and SP, with the BJP hoping to leverage the Ram Temple’s consecration and infrastructure developments to reclaim the seat.
Khair
Khair in Aligarh district became vacant after BJP MLA Anoop Pradhan Valmiki was elected from Hathras (SC-reserved) Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP faces strong competition from the RLD and BSP, which have significant presence in this seat.
Meerapur
The Meerapur seat in Muzaffarnagar district, under the Bijnor Lok Sabha constituency, was vacated after RLD MLA Chandan Chauhan was elected to the Lok Sabha. The SP and Congress are both eyeing this seat, each looking to leverage their recent performances.
Kundarki
Located in Moradabad district, Kundarki was vacated after SP MLA Zia-ur-Rehman was elected from the Sambhal Lok Sabha constituency. This SP stronghold, with its significant minority population, remains a critical battleground.
Ghaziabad Sadar
Ghaziabad Sadar, in Ghaziabad district, became vacant after BJP MLA Atul Garg was elected to the Lok Sabha. The BJP aims to retain this seat, while the Congress hopes to contest it as part of its alliance with the SP.
Phulpur
The Phulpur seat in Prayagraj district was vacated by BJP MLA Praveen Patel, who won the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat. The SP, bolstered by its narrow loss in the Lok Sabha elections, is determined to win this Assembly seat.
Manjhwa
Manjhwa in Mirzapur district was vacated by NISHAD party MLA Vinod Kumar Bind, who was elected from Bhadohi Lok Sabha constituency. The NISHAD party hopes to retain this seat, while the SP, in alliance with the Congress, seeks to gain ground.
Kateri
Kateri in Ambedkar Nagar district was vacated after SP MLA Lalji Verma was elected to the Lok Sabha. With its strong presence, the SP is confident of retaining this seat, while the BJP aims to make inroads.
Sishamau
Sishamau in Kanpur district was vacated following the disqualification of SP MLA Irfan Solanki. The BJP, with a strong regional presence, and the Congress, hopeful after a close Lok Sabha contest, are both keen on this seat.
As Uttar Pradesh heads towards these high-stakes bypolls, both the BJP and the SP are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to secure victories. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving political battle.