In the high-stakes Katehari by-election, political fervor is at an all-time high as the BJP, SP, and BSP gear up for a tight race in this constituency, historically linked with BJP’s religious agenda due to its proximity to Ayodhya.
This election, scheduled for November 23, is particularly significant as it is the first at the assembly level following the construction of the Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya—a cornerstone achievement for BJP.
The BJP has invested substantial resources in this contest, aiming to break a 30-year drought in Katehari. Party leaders hope the temple’s completion and the popularity of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will rally voters in their favor. BJP candidate Dharmaraj Nishad, a seasoned politician who previously served as MLA here on a BSP ticket, faces Shobhavati Verma from SP, wife of sitting MP Lalji Verma, and BSP’s Amit Verma.
The constituency’s Dalit population will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome. As the community’s influence rivals that of upper castes, candidates are vying to secure both Dalit and backward-caste support. “The candidate who manages to unite the Dalit and backward vote will likely secure victory,” said Ranjan Kumar, a local resident. Although BJP has not won this seat since 1992, the party has narrowed its losses in recent elections, falling short by less than 10,000 votes. Determined to claim victory, CM Yogi Adityanath has made multiple visits to rally support.
In this election, caste dynamics have shifted. Where recent assembly polls saw a clash between OBC and Brahmin groups, this time it’s OBC vs. OBC, with all three major parties fielding OBC candidates. For BJP, Nishad's previous BSP affiliation could sway votes from traditional BSP supporters, which, along with the Dalit vote, might be critical for BJP to make gains.
The SP is contending with internal discord. By nominating Shobhavati Verma, Lalji Verma’s wife, the party faces accusations of nepotism. Prominent local SP leaders, like Pahadi Yadav and Shankhlal Yadav, have expressed displeasure over the selection. “It has sparked a rift within SP, which BJP is trying to leverage to its advantage,” commented a local analyst. The SP's PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpashankhyak) formula, often successful in uniting backward castes, Dalits, and minorities, appears less effective in Katehari this time.
The Verma couple’s history with BSP is also significant, as Lalji Verma was previously elected from Katehari under the BSP banner.
This BSP legacy, along with Amit Verma’s candidacy, introduces the possibility of vote division among SP and BSP supporters, potentially giving BJP an edge.
Despite BJP’s efforts, the party grapples with internal issues. Some local leaders allege that key party cadres, essential to mobilizing voters, feel neglected. Rajesh Kumar Dubey, a former village head, expressed dissatisfaction with BJP’s handling of grassroots supporters.
“Those who have supported BJP for decades are facing disrespect at local police stations,” he claimed, adding that the actions of certain BJP leaders are tarnishing the party’s image in Katehari.
Voters are also concerned about issues of corruption at local administrative levels, such as the tehsil and police stations, which has reportedly soured public sentiment toward the ruling party. Nonetheless, there remains strong faith in CM Yogi’s leadership among some factions of the electorate.
Unlike typical assembly races, this by-election appears to focus more on the candidates’ individual images than on broader political issues. Development and employment, usually central to elections, are less prominent in the discourse this time.
“It’s the candidate’s personal appeal that matters.
People may be angry with BJP, but Yogi Adityanath’s influence remains strong,” noted Ranjan Kumar.
Regardless of the outcome, the BSP’s legacy in Katehari remains influential.
SP candidate Shobhavati Verma’s husband, Lalji Verma, previously held the seat as a BSP representative, and BJP’s Dharmaraj Nishad served as a minister under the BSP government.
This history signals that, while the BSP may not hold the seat currently, its role in Katehari politics endures.
