Akhilesh Yadav's quest for 'revenge' in Kannauj electoral showdown

Across the political divide, BJP's Subrat Pathak is gearing up for what he terms a "high-voltage contest," drawing parallels to an India-Pakistan cricket match. "I am ready to throw every trick in the book," asserts Pathak, exuding confidence in his ability to thwart Akhilesh's ambitions.

Local journalists paint a picture of a grudge match, where past defeats fuel present ambitions. "Akhilesh's candidacy this time is fueled by a desire to avenge his wife's defeat in the last elections," observes Ram Mani Mishra, a seasoned journalist in Kannauj.

Indeed, the stakes couldn't be higher. Kannauj, a constituency steeped in political history, has long been synonymous with the Samajwadi Party's dominance. For decades, the Yadav family has held sway, turning it into a formidable bastion of their political power. Yet, cracks began to appear in this fortress in 2019 when Subrat Pathak, a BJP candidate, dealt a significant blow by defeating Dimple Yadav, breaking the family's winning streak.

The loss reverberated through the Yadav clan, marking a turning point in their political fortunes. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the patriarch of the family, witnessed this setback before his passing in 2022, leaving behind a legacy tarnished by defeat.

Now, as Akhilesh Yadav returns to Kannauj for the fourth time, he faces a Herculean task—to reclaim what was once considered his family's stronghold. It is a battle not just for political supremacy but for the preservation of Mulayam Singh Yadav's legacy, a legacy that hangs in the balance.

"I see this as a fight for our very identity," remarks Vijay Singh Yadav, an old-timer in the Samajwadi Party. "Kannauj is synonymous with the Yadav family, and we cannot afford to lose it."

But the road to redemption is fraught with challenges. BJP's Subrat Pathak, hailed as a 'giant killer' is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to retain the constituency. With the BJP's formidable machinery backing him, Pathak poses a formidable obstacle to Akhilesh's ambitions.

"It may come down to a razor-thin margin deciding the winner and the loser," remarks Dhirendra Mishra, a prominent 'attar trader. In the 2014 election, Dimple Yadav secured victory over Subhrat Pathak by a significant margin of 18,107 votes. However, in 2019, Pathak turned the tables, narrowly defeating Dimple by a margin of 12,353 votes.

Yet, amidst the political jousting, the spirit of Kannauj remains undaunted. The fragrance of its famed perfume industry permeates the air, a testament to the region's resilience amidst changing political tides. For generations, Kannauj's perfume makers have persevered, their craft transcending the transient nature of politics.

"In Kannauj, our roots run deep," asserts Shailendra Saxena, a local eatery owner. "Regardless of political affiliations, our allegiance lies with those who uphold our values and traditions."

As the electoral battle intensifies, party workers fan out across the constituency, canvassing for support and rallying voters to their cause. The mood is palpably charged, with anticipation building towards election day—a day that will determine the fate of Kannauj and shape the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.

In the end, Kannauj stands not just as a constituency but as a symbol of resilience, where political fortunes ebb and flow, but the spirit of its people endures. And in this crucible of democracy, Akhilesh Yadav and Subrat Pathak are set to lock horns in a contest that will echo through the annals of history.

Polling in Kannauj is on May 13.