BJP avenges Faizabad defeat with Milkipur bypoll victory: How it happened

Former BJP spokesperson Awadhesh Pandey remarked, "SP insulted Ram in Ayodhya. The public took revenge for it." However, MP Awadhesh Prasad countered this statement, alleging electoral malpractice. "BJP broke the record of dishonesty. Their goons did booth capturing. Even after this, BJP will lose," he said.

The bye-election was necessitated following resignation of SP’s sitting MLA from Milkipur Awdhesh Prasad as he had won Lok Sabha election defeating BJP’s two-time MP Laloo Singh.

Key factors behind BJP’s resounding win

1. Learning from the Faizabad Defeat

BJP’s loss in Faizabad, despite the presence of the newly constructed Ram Temple, was a political jolt. The party quickly took corrective measures, addressing local grievances and removing restrictions on temple visits. These efforts helped pacify voter dissatisfaction and re-establish trust.

2. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s active presence

CM Yogi Adityanath played a crucial role in BJP’s campaign, making Milkipur a prestige seat. In the months leading up to the bypoll, he visited Ayodhya and Milkipur repeatedly—seven times post the Lok Sabha elections—launching government schemes and assuring people of his personal involvement in the region’s development.

3. Strategic deployment of ministers and MLAs

To ensure a structured campaign, BJP assigned six cabinet ministers and 40 MLAs to different regions within the Milkipur constituency. Each leader was given specific tasks, from caste-based outreach to micro-level electoral management. This extensive groundwork played a pivotal role in BJP’s victory.

4. Strong booth-level management

BJP significantly improved its booth management by analyzing the shortcomings of the previous election. The party identified areas where it had secured fewer votes and worked on mobilizing support through grassroots-level organization. This was reflected in increase in voting percentage as this time Milkipur registered over 6% more voting than 2022 assembly elections. "Unlike in the Lok Sabha elections, BJP corrected its mistakes by ensuring a stronger presence at the booth level, which proved to be a game-changer," said senior journalist Manoj Bhadra.

5. Absence of the Constitution and reservation debate

Unlike the Lok Sabha elections, SP’s campaign in Milkipur did not emphasize issues like protecting the Constitution or fears of ending reservation. While SP did raise the PDA (Pichda-Dalit-Alpsankhyak) narrative, it failed to create a strong election discourse around these themes. On the other hand Hindutava prevailed over the PDA.

6. Candidate selection strategy

A crucial shift in BJP’s approach was its selection of a Pasi candidate, matching SP’s caste choice. In the Lok Sabha elections, the slogan “Na Ayodhya...Na Kashi, Abki Baar Avdhesh Pasi” had rallied Pasi and Dalit votes behind SP. This time, with both candidates belonging to the same caste, the Pasi factor lost its influence, neutralizing SP’s advantage.

7. An aggressive election campaign

BJP left no stone unturned in its campaign, with CM Yogi Adityanath making Milkipur a focal point of his Ayodhya visits. His frequent mentions of the constituency in speeches amplified BJP’s outreach, ensuring a high-energy campaign that resonated with voters.