The by-elections were necessitated by the elevation of nine assembly members, including prominent figures like Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, to the Lok Sabha….reports Asian Lite News
The upcoming by-elections in Uttar Pradesh are poised to be a crucial battleground, following significant shifts in political dynamics after the Lok Sabha polls. With 10 assembly seats now vacant, political parties are gearing up for a high-stakes contest that could have implications beyond mere numerical gains.
The by-elections were necessitated by the elevation of nine assembly members, including prominent figures like Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, to the Lok Sabha. Additionally, the disqualification of SP MLA Irfan Solanki further added to the tally of vacant seats. While the Election Commission has yet to announce the dates, parties have already begun strategizing for what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral round.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress have formed an alliance termed the INDIA bloc, aiming to capitalize on their recent gains in the state. In contrast, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is mobilizing resources to defend its turf and reassert dominance in the assembly. Both camps are preparing with vigor, as acknowledged by leaders from each side who have expressed determination to secure victory.
The electoral landscape is crucial not only for its immediate impact on assembly seats but also for the symbolic and strategic messages it could send. For the BJP, which currently enjoys a comfortable majority in the state assembly, any losses could dent its perceived invincibility and embolden the opposition. Conversely, a successful defense could strengthen its position ahead of future challenges.
Key constituencies include those previously held by the SP and its allies, as well as seats won by the BJP and its coalition partners. The by-elections are seen as a litmus test of public sentiment following the Lok Sabha results, where the INDIA bloc secured a significant portion of the state’s parliamentary seats.
Leaders from all sides have emphasized the significance of these by-elections, with BJP officials asserting their readiness to undertake a vigorous campaign aimed at bolstering their electoral credentials. Meanwhile, SP and Congress leaders have exuded confidence in continuing their winning streak, buoyed by recent electoral gains and the strategic alliance they have forged.
The process of candidate selection and campaign strategy is already underway, with parties deliberating on alliances and seat distributions. The BSP, another significant player in Uttar Pradesh politics, has also convened meetings to discuss its strategy, indicating a potentially complex electoral scenario with multiple alliances and alignments in play.
The by-elections not only represent a numeric exercise but also a narrative about the evolving political landscape in Uttar Pradesh. They come against the backdrop of broader shifts in national and regional politics, where alliances and electoral strategies are increasingly defining outcomes at both state and national levels.
As parties gear up for what is expected to be a keenly watched electoral contest, the results of these by-elections could serve as a barometer for future political alignments and strategies in Uttar Pradesh. With each party aiming to leverage its strengths and capitalize on the weaknesses of its opponents, the by-elections are set to be a critical chapter in the ongoing saga of Indian politics, particularly in one of its most populous and politically significant states.
Mayawati names nephew Akash as heir
After removing him from the key post over a month ago, BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday, reinstated her nephew Akash Anand to the post of the party’s National Coordinator and named him her political successor once again.
Mayawati had axed Akash Anand in the midst of the Lok Sabha election campaign and stated that her decision would stand “till he becomes mature.”
However, in a U-turn on Saturday, Mayawati named him as one of the star campaigners for the forthcoming Uttarakhand Assembly bye-elections.
The decision by Mayawati to remove Akash Anand was taken after he drew flak over his aggressive language while campaigning.
An FIR was lodged against him in Sitapur when he called the Union government a government of terrorists.
“This government is a bulldozer government and a government of traitors. The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government. Taliban runs such a government in Afghanistan,” he had said during an election rally in Sitapur.
Besides Anand, BSP candidates Mahendra Yadav, Shyam Awasthi, and Akshay Kalra and rally organiser Vikas Rajvanshi were booked in the matter by the Sitapur Police.
The BSP supremo had called a meeting on Sunday to review the party’s defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The meeting, held at the BSP’s office, mainly focussed on why the party could not win even a single seat in the General Elections in the country.
A discussion was also held on how things can improve in the forthcoming 2027 Assembly elections.
It was at this meeting that Mayawati announced her decision to bring back Akash Anand.
It is noteworthy that party cadres had been rooting for Akash Anand after the BSP’s dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls.
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