By-election Scheduled for Milkipur in Ayodhya on February 5: A Renewed BJP-SP Electoral Showdown
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New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set February 5 as the date for the eagerly awaited by-election in Ayodhya's Milkipur Assembly constituency.
The vacancy arose following the resignation of Samajwadi Party (SP) member Awadhesh Prasad, who was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which has caused considerable unrest within BJP ranks. His son, Ajit Prasad, has been put forward as the candidate from the seat by the party led by Akhilesh Yadav.
The announcement of the Milkipur by-election coincided with the declaration of election dates for Delhi.
On the same day, the election panel revealed that February 5 would also be the voting day for the 70-member Delhi Legislative Assembly. Key dates include the issuance of the Gazette Notification on January 10, the deadline for nominations on January 17, the scrutiny of nominations on January 18, and the final date for withdrawal of candidatures on January 20. The results will be announced on February 8.
With the Milkipur constituency poised for elections in a month, a fresh wave of intense electoral competition between the ruling BJP and the opposing SP is anticipated.
Just months prior, the nine constituencies in Uttar Pradesh that underwent by-elections captured national attention due to a series of exchanges between the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
The conflict between BJP and SP leading up to the by-elections for nine seats in the state arose from the SP's remarkable resurgence in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the BJP's loss of the Ayodhya seat.
The BJP's significant defeat was attributed to internal conflicts, whereas the SP witnessed a substantial increase in its political influence, securing one of its highest numbers of Lok Sabha seats.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the BJP managed to turn the tide in subsequent by-elections, winning seven out of nine seats, while the SP retained only two strongholds, namely Karhal and Sisamau.
As the Milkipur Assembly seat in Ayodhya approaches the polls, the political rivalry is set to escalate again, with both parties launching attacks against one another. It remains to be seen who will outshine and outmaneuver their opponent.
