In a major political turnaround, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has clinched the Milkipur assembly seat in Ayodhya during the by-elections, marking a decisive victory over the Samajwadi Party (SP). Just eight months after losing the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat to SP, BJP has bounced back with an emphatic win, proving that its Hindutva-driven politics remains a formidable force in Uttar Pradesh.
BJP candidate Chandrabhanu Paswan secured a comfortable victory by over 61,639 votes against SP’s Ajit Prasad, further consolidating the party’s grip on the Ayodhya region. The win was so emphatic that the SP candidate lost even in his own booth. “This victory underscores the success of Yogi Adityanath’s Hindutva strategy. His ‘batoge to katoge’ rhetoric effectively bridged caste divides and strengthened BJP’s support base,” said political analyst R N Bajpayee.
Another political analyst, Manoj Bhadra, noted that the result had broader implications for the state’s political landscape. “The Milkipur victory is not just a bypoll win but a strategic comeback for BJP in the Ayodhya region, reaffirming CM Yogi Adityanath’s political grip ahead of the 2027 assembly elections,” he said. Former BJP spokesperson Awadhesh Pandey linked the victory to a religious sentiment. “SP insulted Ram in Ayodhya. The public took revenge for it,” he claimed.
However, MP Awadhesh Prasad countered this statement, alleging electoral malpractice. “BJP broke the record of dishonesty. Their goons did booth capturing. Even after this, BJP will lose,” he said.
The by-election was necessitated following the resignation of SP’s sitting MLA from Milkipur, Awadhesh Prasad, who had won the Lok Sabha election by defeating BJP’s two-time MP, Laloo Singh. BJP’s loss in Faizabad, despite the presence of the newly constructed Ram Temple, had come as a political jolt. The party quickly took corrective measures, addressing local grievances and removing restrictions on temple visits, which helped pacify voter dissatisfaction and re-establish trust.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath played a crucial role in BJP’s campaign, making Milkipur a prestige seat. In the months leading up to the bypoll, he visited Ayodhya and Milkipur repeatedly-seven times post the Lok Sabha elections-launching government schemes and assuring people of his personal involvement in the region’s development.
To ensure a structured campaign, BJP assigned six cabinet ministers and 40 MLAs to different regions within the Milkipur constituency. Each leader was given specific tasks, from caste-based outreach to micro-level electoral management. This extensive groundwork played a pivotal role in BJP’s victory.
BJP significantly improved its booth management by analyzing the shortcomings of the previous election. The party identified areas where it had secured fewer votes and worked on mobilizing support through grassroots-level organization. This was reflected in an increase in voter turnout, as Milkipur registered over 6% more voting than in the 2022 assembly elections. “Unlike in the Lok Sabha elections, BJP corrected its mistakes by ensuring a stronger presence at the booth level, which proved to be a game-changer,” said senior journalist Manoj Bhadra.
Unlike the Lok Sabha elections, SP’s campaign in Milkipur did not emphasize issues like protecting the Constitution or fears of ending reservation. While SP did raise the PDA (Pichda-Dalit-Alpsankhyak) narrative, it failed to create a strong election discourse around these themes. On the other hand, Hindutva politics prevailed over the PDA strategy. BJP also strategically selected a Pasi candidate, matching SP’s caste choice. In the Lok Sabha elections, the slogan “Na Ayodhya...Na Kashi, Abki Baar Avdhesh Pasi” had rallied Pasi and Dalit votes behind SP. This time, with both candidates belonging to the same caste, the Pasi factor lost its influence, neutralizing SP’s advantage.
“BJP left no stone unturned in its campaign, with CM Yogi Adityanath making Milkipur a focal point of his Ayodhya visits. His frequent mentions of the constituency in speeches amplified BJP’s outreach, ensuring a high-energy campaign that resonated with voters,” Bhadra said.