Lucknow: The nine assembly by-elections in Uttar Pradesh have become the focal point of political discourse, serving as a litmus test for the state’s political future. These elections are being closely watched as a precursor to the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. With the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) locked in a prestige battle, caste dynamics and regional issues are expected to significantly influence the outcomes.
Yogi Adityanath vs. Akhilesh Yadav: A Clash of Titans
Following a lackluster performance in Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has recalibrated its strategy, placing Adityanath at the forefront of its campaign. Akhilesh Yadav views these elections as crucial to consolidating his party’s position.
Caste Dynamics: The Key to Victory
Caste equations, a defining feature of Uttar Pradesh politics, vary across the nine constituencies, shaping electoral strategies and outcomes.
- Katehari (Ambedkarnagar):
The BJP and SP are locked in a direct battle, with Scheduled Castes and Muslim voters holding sway. The SP has fielded Shobhavati Verma, wife of prominent leader Lalji Verma, emphasizing local connections. - Majhawan (Mirzapur):
Dominated by the Bind community, this seat has seen both BJP and SP fielding OBC candidates. The BSP, aiming to reassert itself, is also actively campaigning. - Phulpur (Prayagraj):
Patel, Yadav, and Muslim voters are decisive here. The BJP’s Deepak Patel and SP’s Mujtaba Siddiqui represent their respective attempts to secure these crucial voter blocs. - Sisamau (Kanpur):
In this Muslim-majority constituency, SP’s Naseem Solanki, wife of Irfan Solanki, faces off against the BJP’s Brahmin candidate, emphasizing a battle of demographics. - Kundarki (Moradabad):
A Muslim-dominated seat, Kundarki features a direct contest between the SP and BJP, with the BSP also vying for a foothold. - Ghaziabad City (Ghaziabad):
An urban BJP bastion, the party has fielded Sanjeev Sharma, while the SP seeks to diversify its appeal with Dalit candidate Raj Jatav. - Khair (Aligarh):
Dominated by Jat and Scheduled Caste voters, the SP’s Charu Kain, a Jat, challenges SC-focused candidates from the BJP and BSP. - Karhal (Mainpuri):
Traditionally an SP stronghold linked to Akhilesh Yadav, this constituency sees SP’s Tej Pratap Yadav pitted against BJP’s Anuj Yadav, highlighting intra-caste competition. - Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar):
The BJP-RLD alliance faces a test in this region, where the SP-RLD coalition historically enjoys significant support.
Why These By-Elections Matter
- Testing the Waters for 2027:
These elections are widely seen as a “trailer” for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, offering insights into voter sentiments and political strategies. - Reaffirming Credibility:
For the BJP and SP, these by-elections are crucial for proving their public trust and political viability. - A Revival Opportunity for Smaller Parties:
The BSP and RLD view these elections as a chance to remain relevant and reassert their presence in the state’s political landscape.
High security cordon marks Bypoll battle
Voting for the by-elections in nine assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh concluded peacefully with an overall voter turnout of 49.3 percent, as reported by Chief Election Officer Navdeep Rinwa. Polling began at 7:00 am and ended at 5:00 pm across 3718 polling stations in the constituencies.
The constituencies where voting took place include 16-Meerapur, 29-Kundarki, 56-Ghaziabad, 71-Khair (SC), 110-Karhal, 213-Sisamau, 256-Phulpur, 277-Katehari, and 397-Majhawan.
Constituency-wise Voter Turnout
- Meerapur: 57.1%
- Kundarki: 57.7%
- Ghaziabad: 33.3%
- Khair (SC): 46.3%
- Karhal: 54.1%
- Sisamau: 49.1%
- Phulpur: 43.4%
- Katehari: 56.9%
- Majhawan: 50.4%
Measures to Ensure Free and Fair Elections
The Election Commission made significant arrangements to ensure the voting process was conducted transparently. Webcasting was carried out at more than 50% of polling stations, with monitoring conducted at three levels: by the District Election Officer, the Chief Election Officer, and the Election Commission of India.
Additionally, the Commission deployed:
- 09 General Observers
- 05 Police Observers
- 09 Expenditure Observers
- 350 Sector Magistrates
- 56 Zonal Magistrates
- 60 Static Magistrates
- 745 Micro Observers
Complaints were swiftly addressed, and actions were taken where necessary. For instance, five police personnel were suspended based on complaints received during polling.
Technical and Logistical Support
EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails) were arranged for all polling stations, along with adequate reserves. Complaints regarding EVMs and VVPATs were immediately resolved by replacing faulty machines to ensure uninterrupted voting. The by-elections witnessed smooth management and active monitoring by officials. The results from these crucial constituencies are awaited as they hold significance in shaping the political dynamics of the state.
