Ahead of Milkipur by-elections, scheduled to be held on February 5 along with Delhi Assembly polls, the INDIA bloc on Monday exuded confidence over its performance in the upcoming electoral contest.
SP and Congress, both constituents of the INDIA bloc stated that they remain united for the Milkipur by-polls and will get the better of rival BJP in upcoming by-elections.
The results of the bypoll, along with the Delhi Assembly elections, will be announced on February 8.
The Milkipur by-election is considered a crucial contest between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Samajwadi Party (SP), especially after the high-stakes November 2024 by-elections in nine Assembly seats, which featured intense campaigns by both parties.
The seat became vacant after the resignation of Awadhesh Prasad, who won the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections. It was the victory of Awadhesh Prasad over BJP's Lallu Singh which made it a crucial political shift in Ayodhya (Faizabad), making the Milkipur bypoll a crucial test for both parties.
Talking to IANS, Awadhesh Prasad emphasized the people's role in determining the outcome of the election.
"This election is not just about the Samajwadi Party, Awadhesh Prasad, or Akhilesh Yadav. The public has taken it into their own hands, and no one can alter the result," he said.
Prasad underlined the party's strong campaign, with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav keeping an eye on developments and senior leaders Dimple Yadav and Shivpal Yadav expected to campaign.
He emphasized the importance of free and fair voting, terming the election a "temple of democracy" and an opportunity to set an example.
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai, while speaking to IANS, reflected the confidence of the INDIA bloc, saying, "We are standing together strongly in Milkipur. The INDIA bloc candidate, fielded by the SP, will undoubtedly secure victory. Wherever support is needed, Congress will provide it."
The BJP has nominated lawyer Chandrabhan Paswan against SP's nominee Ajit Prasad, son of Awadhesh Prasad. The selection of Paswan by the BJP puts all sorts of speculation about its strategy to rest and heralds a much-awaited contest.
The BJP did suffer a set back with defeat in the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat; the opening of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya in no way reflected in the ballot box, defying the region's consideration a stronghold for BJP.
In coming days, there will be heated campaigning by BJP and SP in Ayodhya's Milkipur constituency; the two main parties are already locked in their battle for the supremacy in a politically charged election.
Read also| Manish Sisodia's Rs 1.4 Crore Loan Tied to Two Punjab MPs, Claims Ravneet Singh Bittu
