NEW DELHI: The BJP’s victory in the Milkipur bypoll has reasserted its political dominance in Uttar Pradesh, countering the blow from its Faizabad defeat eight months ago. The win is seen as a strategic move to regain lost ground and bolster Dalit support.
A tactical recovery
The Faizabad loss was a major jolt for the BJP, given Ayodhya’s significance to its Hindutva agenda. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had flaunted Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad, a Dalit, as a political trophy, reinforcing the opposition’s stronghold. However, BJP recalibrated its approach, leading to what its workers termed a well-planned “Ayodhya ka badla.”
Surya Pratap Shahi, BJP’s in-charge of Ayodhya, described the win as a people-driven correction after the 2024 setback. Chandrabhanu Paswan, 38, emerged victorious with a margin of 61,710 votes over SP’s Ajit Prasad, 42. Both parties had fielded Pasi candidates, emphasizing the crucial Dalit vote bank.
Dalit outreach and narrative shift
The BJP’s loss in Faizabad, despite the Ram Temple consecration, prompted a narrative shift. SP’s allegations about BJP’s stance on Dalit and OBC reservations forced the party to adopt a softer engagement approach.
Under its ‘Samvidhan Gaurav Samman’ initiative, BJP leaders distributed Constitution copies and conducted outreach programs to reaffirm their commitment to social justice. “We personally engaged with community members to counter misinformation and rebuild trust,” UP BJP secretary Abhijat Mishra told PTI.
National impact and political realignments
The Milkipur victory featured in PM Narendra Modi’s post-Delhi poll speech. “Our margin in Milkipur surpasses SP’s in Faizabad, demonstrating public faith in BJP’s leadership,” said Paswan.
UP Minorities Minister Danish Azad Ansari asserted that even Muslim voters backed the BJP. “With around 38,000 Muslims in Milkipur, many chose development over divisive politics. Meanwhile, the SP-Congress alliance is showing cracks,” he stated.
Milkipur, historically dominated by Communist, SP, and BSP influences, has now positioned itself as a key battleground in BJP’s UP strategy.
SP’s political fallout
The loss has given BSP an opportunity to hit back at SP. “SP often blamed BSP for its failures, but we didn’t even contest here. Why did they lose?” Mayawati questioned.
While SP leaders claim electoral malpractice, internal discussions suggest the decision to field the sitting MP’s son might have contributed to the defeat.
Looking ahead
BJP’s triumph in Milkipur signals an aggressive comeback in Ayodhya’s political landscape, reinforcing its strategic pivot towards Dalit empowerment. With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections still fresh, the results set the stage for high-stakes battles ahead in UP politics.
