NEW DELHI: BJP has expressed confidence in sitting MP and Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua) while SP has fielded Dharmendra Yadav for the second time despite the defeat in the by-election.
Azamgarh indeed holds a crucial position in the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh, especially with its historical significance and the recent shift in power dynamics. The battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party for dominance in this constituency reflects larger political trends in the region and the country as a whole.
Prominent leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav won Azamgarh seat several times. However, BJP snatched it in the 2022 by-election, registered their second-ever win in the constituency, and tried to bloom the ‘lotus’ again in the constituency.
After the victory in the by-election, the BJP has again expressed confidence in sitting MP and Bhojpuri film star Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua) while SP has fielded Dharmendra Yadav for the second time despite the defeat in the by-election, giving the message of the strength of the Mulayam family’s relations with the area.
This is the reason why, just before the elections, SP President Akhilesh Yadav included BSP candidate Shah Alam, alias Guddu Jamali, who was considered the reason for the SP’s defeat in the 2022 by-elections, in his fold. He was made an MLC. It is believed that Akhilesh played this move to prevent the disintegration of Muslim votes. On the other hand, the BSP has made Mashhood Ahmed its candidate for this seat. The BSP changed its candidate twice for the seat.
I.P. Singh, national spokesperson for the Samajwadi Party, told The Sunday Guardian that the SP is very strong in this constituency and all other seats, barring Varanasi, around Azamgarh. He mentioned that the BJP only makes rumours that Yadav voters shifted towards them, but in reality, their allegiance is still with the Samajwadi Party, and the election result will prove that.
On the other hand, BJP National spokesperson Prem Shukla told The Sunday Guardian that, like in the 2022 by-election, the BJP will once again win in Azamgarh under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He mentioned that history shows that whenever the BSP and SP contest the Lok Sabha election irrespective of any alliance, the BJP wins that election.
“This time, we are contesting the election on the development agenda. We have developed the constituency in just two years, and we are seeking votes on the work carried out by the BJP’s double-engine government in Azamgarh and the entire state as well,” he added.
Aditya Rathi, a political analyst who follows UP politics very closely, told The Sunday Guardian that the Samajwadi Party has an edge and also a strong presence in the Azamgarh constituency. He added that even the caste equation favours the socialist party.
The constituency has nearly 35% Muslim and Yadav (MY) voters, who traditionally vote for the SP. Also, 25% SC voters in Azamgarh, typically vote for the SP.
He mentioned that in the 2022 by-election, the BJP won this seat only because BSP candidate Shah Alam alias Guddu Jamali, who managed to dent Muslim, votes earlier loyal to the SP. Eventually, Akhilesh Yadav removed Jamali from the fray and made him the MLC. So this time, no disintegration of Muslim votes is expected.
The Samajwadi Party faces a strong challenge of saving its fortress, and on the other hand, the BJP is eyeing another victory, and for that, they are trying their best; even the central leadership has done roadshows and rallies in the constituency to seek votes for their candidate. Azamgarh comprises five assembly segments, including Gopalpur, Sagri, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, and Mehnagar. Three out of five constituencies voted in favour of the BJP in 2022, by election, and the remaining two voted for SP However, in the 2022 assembly election, the Samajwadi Party won all assembly segments, while the BJP could not open their accounts.
This time, the scenario is similar to the 2022 by-elections, but the equations have changed.
This seat has become a question of prestige for both the SP and BJP. The SP aims to demonstrate its continued relevance and influence in Uttar Pradesh, while the BJP seeks to consolidate its gains and expand its reach in SP-dominated regions.
In the 2019 general elections, Azamgarh witnessed a fiercely contested battle between the SP and the BJP. SP candidate Akhilesh Yadav won the 2019 general election with a victory margin of 2,59,874 votes and secured 6,21,578 votes. Akhilesh Yadav defeated Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua) of the BJP, who garnered 3,61,704 votes. However, in the 2022 by-election, the BJP won this constituency for the second time in the electoral history of Azamgarh. BJP’s Dinesh Lal Yadav defeated SP’s Dharmendra Yadav by a margin of 8,679 votes.