BJP Triumphs in Milkipur By-Election, Delivering Blow to Samajwadi Party
Feb, 9 2025
BJP Clinches Victory in Milkipur By-Election
In a noteworthy win for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chandrabhanu Paswan emerged victorious in the Milkipur assembly by-election, held in the politically charged Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh. This election result is more than a mere statistic; it's a marker of the changing political winds and a significant setback for the Samajwadi Party (SP), which had been determined to hold onto this seat.
The contest culminated in a decisive victory for the BJP, with Paswan securing 78,081 votes against SP's Ajit Prasad, who garnered 49,402 votes. The margin of 28,679 votes is substantial, speaking volumes about the support Paswan mustered despite the tough competition.
Political Implications and Reactions
The victory in Milkipur comes at a crucial time for the BJP, as it recaptures a seat it lost in the 2022 Assembly polls. The backdrop of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir added symbolic significance to the election, boosting the stakes for all involved. For the Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, this defeat disrupts their momentum following their success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Many eyes were on this seat as it was vacated by their own Awadhesh Prasad, sparking intense campaigning.
In response to the election results, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of using underhanded tactics, claiming that election machinery was manipulated to the ruling party's advantage. He has labeled the results as fraudulent and warned that such strategies wouldn't succeed across Uttar Pradesh’s broader spectrum of 403 seats.
In contrast, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak attributed the BJP's win to public faith in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s governance. He emphasized that voters prioritized development over the criticisms leveled by the opposition, indicating a triumph of policies over rhetoric.
Awadhesh Prasad, confident in his criticisms, dismissed the victory as temporary and accused the BJP of widespread electoral malpractice. Meanwhile, Paswan graciously thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, interpreting his win as a mandate for the BJP's policies.
Another significant aspect of this by-election was the voter turnout, which stood at a commendable 57.13%. The election authorities ensured tight security and transparency measures, including VVPAT verification from five polling stations, a protocol introduced to enhance confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.
All eyes will now be on how the Samajwadi Party strategizes its next moves and whether the BJP can maintain this momentum in future elections across Uttar Pradesh.