The political scene in Uttar Pradesh is filled with excitement as the by-elections for 10 assembly seats are approaching. UP Bypoll 2024 will cover a mix of urban and rural areas. With many assembly seats going to by-poll, the stakes are high this time.
10 Assembly Seats and Previous Winners
Katehari in Ambedkar Nagar
The seat was previously held by Lalji Verma of the Samajwadi Party (SP), who won the election in 2022. However, the seat fell vacant after Verma contested the Lok Sabha election from Ambedkar Nagar and emerged victorious.
Karhal in Mainpuri
This constituency has been a stronghold for the SP, with its chief Akhilesh Yadav winning the seat in the 2022 polls. He defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate S.P. Singh Baghel, who has now been elected on his party ticket from the Agra parliamentary constituency.
Milkipur in Ayodhya
In Milkipur, Ayodhya, another SP leader, Awadhesh Prasad, secured victory by defeating BJP’s Baba Gorakhnath in the 2022 elections. Prasad resigned as he later went on to win the Ayodhya Lok Sabha seat, causing a major upset for the BJP.
Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar
Chandan Chauhan of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won the polls by defeating BJP’s Prashant Chaudhary by a significant margin in 2022. However, Chauhan vacated the seat after winning the Bijnor Lok Sabha seat.
Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad, a rapidly urbanizing district adjacent to the national capital will also witness a fierce contest in the bypolls. The seat was previously held by the BJP’s Atul Garg.
Majhawan in Mirzapur
Majhawan in Mirzapur, a constituency known for its rich cultural heritage and political awareness, also went through the bypoll process. The seat became vacant after BJP’s Vinod Kumar Bind resigned to contest the Lok Sabha election from Bhadohi.
Sisamau in Kanpur Nagar
Sisamau in Kanpur Nagar, a constituency with a significant urban population, saw its assembly seat declared vacant following the disqualification of Samajwadi Party’s Hazi Irfan Solanki due to a seven-year imprisonment by an MP/MLA court.
Khair in Aligarh
Khair in Aligarh, a reserved constituency for Scheduled Castes, had its political dynamics tested in the bypolls. Anoop Singh of the BJP had resigned from the Khair Assembly seat after he contested the Lok Sabha election from Hathras.
Phulpur in Prayagraj
Phulpur in Prayagraj, a constituency with historical significance as it was once represented by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, also faced bypolls. The seat became vacant after BJP’s Praveen Patel resigned to contest the Lok Sabha election from the same seat.
Kundarki in Moradabad
The previous winner of this seat was Ziaur Rahman Barq of the Samajwadi Party. The seat fell vacant after Ziaur Rahman Barq was elected to the Sambhal Lok Sabha seat, prompting the need for a bypoll.
Why does UP Bypoll 2024 Matter?
For both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP), these by-elections are crucial. They aren’t just about filling vacancies; they’re a test of public opinion ahead of the general elections. Some seats became vacant because MLAs resigned to keep their Lok Sabha seats, like Akhilesh Yadav, who resigned from Karhal to hold onto his Kannauj seat.
SP vs. BJP: The Big Fight
Traditionally, these seats have seen a close fight between the SP and the BJP. Each election here reflects how the public feels about the state’s governance. The results could modify the power balance in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, making these by-elections very important.
The Congress party, part of the INDIA bloc with the Samajwadi Party, is also looking to contest some of these seats.
On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party (SP), feeling energized by its recent success in the Lok Sabha elections, is working hard to keep its influence strong. They are especially focused on places like Milkipur in Ayodhya, where they surprised everyone by defeating the BJP. Meanwhile, the BJP is changing its strategy. They are thinking about choosing a Pasi candidate to run in Milkipur, showing that they understand what the voters want.
The results will show whether the SP will maintain its recent popularity or if the BJP will gain ground. Can the Congress make a significant comeback? The answers will shape Uttar Pradesh’s political future, influencing policies and governance.
Conclusion
The bypolls are more than just a fight for assembly seats; they are a reflection of the larger political currents flowing through Uttar Pradesh. The BJP’s focus on development and governance is pitted against the SP’s emphasis on social justice and empowerment, with the Congress adding its vision for a more inclusive politics.
UP Bypoll will also set the tone for the next State Legislative assembly elections. They are an opportunity for the parties to test the waters, refine their strategies, and connect with the electorate on a deeper level.
