The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on the verge of securing a crucial victory over the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the Milkipur by-election, marking a significant win in the politically pivotal Ayodhya district. After nine rounds of counting, BJP candidate Chandrabhan Paswan has amassed 47,176 votes, maintaining a commanding lead of over 25,000 votes against SP’s Ajit Prasad.
Milkipur: A High-Stakes Prestige Battle
The Milkipur Assembly seat has become a battleground of prestige for both the BJP and the SP. With Ayodhya being a crucial political epicenter, the BJP’s focus on reclaiming this seat underscores its commitment to strengthening its influence in the region.
As the BJP edges closer to victory, candidate Chandrabhan Paswan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
“I thank Modi ji and Yogi ji. I thank the voters for their support. I have received huge respect and support,” Paswan stated, acknowledging the backing he has received from the party’s leadership and the electorate.
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Union Minister OP Rajbhar also emphasized that the people of Ayodhya and Milkipur have chosen development.
“I had already said earlier that the NDA candidate will win with a majority. The public wants development, and they are happy with the work by Yogi ji,” Rajbhar said, reinforcing the BJP’s campaign narrative centered around progress and governance.
Samajwadi Party Alleges Dishonesty
Amid the vote counting, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of dishonesty.
“BJP has registered its name in the Guinness Book of Records in dishonesty… BJP will lose this election, and SP candidate Ajit Prasad will win and create history,” Prasad asserted, despite the current trends favoring the BJP.
Why Milkipur Matters for BJP and SP
The significance of the Milkipur by-election stems from the BJP’s recent loss to the Samajwadi Party in the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, where Ayodhya’s Ram Temple was inaugurated. Determined to reclaim ground, the BJP has invested heavily in this contest, making it a critical prestige battle.
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The bypoll was necessitated after SP’s Awadhesh Prasad, who previously held the Milkipur Assembly seat, was elected to the Faizabad (Ayodhya) parliamentary seat in 2024. In response, the SP fielded his son, Ajit Prasad, against BJP’s Chandrabhan Paswan. Both candidates hail from the influential Pasi community, making this a closely watched electoral showdown.
Delayed Election and Legal Challenges
The by-election process faced delays after BJP’s Baba Gorakhnath, who contested the seat in 2022, filed a writ petition challenging Awadhesh Prasad’s victory over alleged nomination document discrepancies. The Election Commission of India (ECI) eventually announced the bypoll date as February 5 after Gorakhnath withdrew his petition.
With a decisive lead in Milkipur, the BJP is set to bolster its stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, reinforcing its commitment to governance and development. The outcome of this by-election will serve as a crucial indicator of the political landscape ahead of upcoming electoral battles in the state.
