Ayodhya loss still fresh, BJP now seeks redemption with Milkipur bypoll

The BJP is meticulously evaluating its candidate options for the Milkipur by-election

The upcoming bypoll in Ayodhya’s Milkipur, part of Faizabad parliamentary constituency, triggered by Awadhesh Prasad's recent election to Parliament, has become a focal point of prestige for both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Following their defeat in Faizabad, the BJP is keen to reclaim this critical seat, while the SP having previously held the seat, is under significant psychological pressure to maintain their dominance.

For the BJP, the Milkipur bypoll represents a crucial battle for prestige. Despite the advantages of the Modi-Yogi factor and the double-engine government at both the state and national levels, the party's performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections fell short of expectations. The BJP views this bypoll as an opportunity to reverse its fortunes, reclaim lost ground, and reinforce its influence in the region.

The Opposition has strategically showcased Awdesh Prasad in all its meetings, giving him a prominent place to sit. This move is intended to aggravate the BJP, as the party had made the Ram Mandir a central issue in the Lok Sabha campaign. Incidentally, the BJP lost the election in the constituency where the temple is located.

Both the BJP and SP are meticulously strategizing to capture this pivotal seat. For the BJP, reclaiming Milkipur is not just about numbers but also about regaining momentum after recent electoral losses. The SP, on the other hand, is determined to defend its stronghold and prove its resilience amidst growing pressures.

The organisational apparatus of both parties is actively evaluating potential candidates, weighing their chances of victory, and devising plans to galvanize voter support. As the bypoll approaches, the political landscape in Milkipur is set to witness intense campaigning and strategic maneuvering from both sides.

Candidate selection

The BJP is meticulously evaluating its candidate options for the Milkipur bypoll. With a potential focus on nominating a candidate from the Pasi community, the party aims to connect more effectively with the local electorate and address the issues that contributed to their previous defeat. This strategic move is part of a broader effort to strengthen their position and capitalize on the bypoll as a chance to demonstrate renewed political vigor and commitment.

Former MLA Baba Gorakhnath is considered a strong candidate within BJP circles, though the party has yet to make an official announcement. Gorakhnath's political journey has seen both victory and defeat; he won the Milkipur seat in the 2017 assembly elections but lost to Awadhesh Prasad by 12,923 votes in the 2022 elections. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Gorakhnath also failed to secure a win for BJP candidate Lallu Singh, who lost by 7,733 votes in Milkipur.

A Pasi vs Pasi contest

It may well be back to a 'Pasi versus Pasi' contest in Ayodhya's Milkipur assembly seat. By potentially fielding a Pasi candidate, (Baba Goraknath is Passi) the BJP aims to resonate with the local electorate and address the factors that led to their previous defeat. Sources said that both SP and BJP plan to field a Pasi from the reserved seat, just like in the 2017 and 2022 assembly polls. The constituency also has a sizable population of other Dalit communities, including Kori, Jatav, and Dhobi.

The Samajwadi Party has already dropped broad hints of fielding Awadhesh Prasad's son Ajit, a Pasi, amid growing clamor in SP seeking to win back the seat to further nudge the saffron outfit. Sources said that the SP brass is expected to roll out its poll machinery in the constituency soon while relying on the local popularity of Awadhesh Prasad.

The BJP has already hit the ground running by asking its Ayodhya unit to restructure the booth-level committees and augment the Panna samitis. "We have started our preparations. We are working at the ground level to dispel the various malicious poll narratives set by the opposition," said BJP leader Kamlesh Srivastava.

CM Yogi Adityanath, too, has stepped up the poll spadework in Ayodhya by deputing a team of four UP ministers headed by senior cabinet minister Sura Pratap Shahi, a Bhumihar, Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, a Thakur, Girish Yadav, an OBC, and Satish Chandra Sharma, a Brahmin. The move is seen as Yogi's and BJP's serious bid to consolidate the upper caste and Yadav community—the latter has been a traditional voter of SP to bolster its poll situation. Sources said that the group of ministers have visited Milkipur recently to assess the ground situation.