The third phase of Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh on May 7 is set for intense clashes, with the focus now shifting from the Jat belt to the Yadav strongholds.
With the BJP reigning over eight of these 10 seats in the 2019 elections, and the bicycle symbol of Samajwadi Party pedaling ahead on only two, the political dynamics are charged with anticipation.
This phase will also decide the fate of three members of Yadav family – Dimple (Mainpuri), Aditya (Budaun) and Akshay (Firozabad).
How the situation stands in these 10 constituencies:
In Sambhal, the equations are intricate and the competition fierce. The entry of candidates such as Ziaur Rahman Burke from SP and Parmeshwar Lal Saini from BJP, alongside former MLA Saulat Ali, heralds a tough battle. The BSP stronghold poses a challenge to SP's traditional vote bank, intensifying the contest among the Saini, Turk, and Sheikhzada communities.
Bareilly, an important seat in Rohilkhand, witnesses a straight fight between BJP's Chhatrapal Gangwar and SP's Praveen Singh Aron. With the absence of the BSP candidate, polarisation becomes the key strategy, as both parties vie for Hindu and Muslim votes, respectively.
Badaun sees BJP's Durvijay Singh, SP's Aditya Yadav, and BSP's Muslim Khan vying for victory. BSP's equation disrupts the plans of both major contenders, adding complexity to the electoral landscape.
This seat is also important because Shivpal Yadav is launching his son Aditya in parliamentary politics through this constituency.
Etah's electoral battle is no less daunting, with Rajveer Singh of BJP seeking a hat-trick against SP's Devesh Shakya and BSP's Irfan, altering the dynamics of the traditional political equations. BJP leader Kalyan Singh’s legacy looms large over this constituency as an intense fight is expected between Lodhs and Yadavs.
In Aonla, expectations of a tough competition loom large, as BJP's Dharmendra Kashyap is pitted against SP's Neeraj Maurya. BSP's Abid Ali is also aiming to alter the trajectory of the fight as a Muslim candidate may affect SP’s prospect.
Fatehpur Sikri is seeing BJP's Rajkumar Chahar, Congress's Ramnath Sikarwar, and independent candidate Ramniwas Sharma vie for victory, each relying on distinct identity-based strategies. Caste is likely going to play a bigger role here.
Hathras, a reserved seat for the SC category, sees a clash among BJP's Anup Pradhan Valmiki, SP's Jasveer Valmiki, and BSP's Hembabu Dhangar. The BJP has changed its previous candidate who was the incumbent MP.
Firozabad gears up for a triangular contest among BJP's Thakur Vishwadeep Singh, SP's Akshay Yadav, and BSP's Chaudhary Bashir. All the three are trying to navigate shifting alliances and voter preferences. Akshay is the son of senior SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav and had won the last Lok Sabha election defeating BJP’s Chandrasen Jadon.
Mainpuri carries the legacy of Mulayam Singh Yadav, as Dimple Yadav, BJP's Jaiveer Singh, and BSP's Shivprasad Yadav try to strike a chord with voters. Dimple had won the last bye-election from here after the death of Mulayam Singh Yadav in 2022
In Agra, the stature and prestige of Union Minister SP Singh Baghel is at stake as BJP, SP, and BSP field new faces, symbolising a test of political reputation and public trust.
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