Just months after the state elections setback, the by-elections for the Rampur and Azamgarh Lok Sabha seats got here as a physique blow to Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party on Sunday. While the BJP’s Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’ gained the Azamgarh seat by over 8,000 votes, Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi gained Rampur by over 42,000.
The BJP’s victory within the SP’s stronghold additionally exhibits the saffron social gathering’s rising recognition after a snug victory within the February-March state polls. For the primary opposition social gathering, the end result displays its shedding grip over Muslims and Yadavs, its “MY” citadel.
While the BJP left no stone unturned in canvassing for its candidates in two SP-favoured seats, the ballot outcomes have raised questions on Akhilesh Yadav’s absence from campaigning in each seats.
Azamgarh
In Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency, Yadavs represent 21 % of the citizens, Muslims 15 %, Dalits 20 % and non-Yadav OBC voters are about 18 %. The SP had swept all of the meeting segments in Azamgarh within the lately meeting polls.
Given the dominance of Dalits, Muslims and Yadavs within the 18-lakh-strong citizens of Azamgarh, it was believed that the primary contest shall be between the SP and BSP. However, Bhojpuri actor-singer Nirahua managed to defeat Dharmendra Yadav, making the most of the BSP eroding away the Samajwadi Party’s assist base.
The SP management didn’t make any concerted efforts to consolidate Muslim and Yadav votes. Akhilesh, who has already confronted criticism within the constituency for not paying a single go to in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, didn’t flip up for campaigning.
The SP’s alleged silence on Muslim points additionally appeared to not go down effectively with Muslim voters. The BJP has already been charging that the SP has been “using” Muslims for electoral beneficial properties.
Rampur
In Rampur parliamentary constituency, almost 49 per cent of the voters are Muslims. The SP had gained three and the BJP two meeting segments within the state elections.
While the BJP deployed its complete high management for canvassing within the SP basin, Akhilesh Yadav left campaigning for Azam Khan’s longtime affiliate Asim Raja by the hands of the veteran chief and his supporters.
At least 16 state ministers reached out to voters in Rampur, the place nearly half of the inhabitants is Muslim.
But a low turnout of 41.39 per cent aided the ruling social gathering because it managed to extend its vote share from 42.33 per cent in 2019 to 51.96 per cent. The SP and Azam Khan accused the police of intimidating voters and never permitting Muslim voters to maneuver out to solid their votes.
The Indian Express quoted some locals claiming {that a} part of Muslim voters additionally didn’t present curiosity within the bypoll because the candidate was not from Azam’s household.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”