UP bypoll: Big SP vs BJP clash as voting in Ayodhya's Milkipur assembly seat underway

The Milkipur bypoll was necessitated after its MLA Awadhesh Prasad won the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat in which Ayodhya city lies

Published on: Feb 5, 2025, 09:57:08 IST

By HT News Desk

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Voting for bypoll in Ayodhya's Milkipur assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh is underway. It is a high-stakes battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party, which stunned everyone by winning Ayodhya's Faizabad Lok Sabha seat in the general elections last year.

Milkipur, a scheduled castes-reserved seat is witnessing the main contest between BJP's Chandrabhanu Paswan and SP's Ajit Prasad.

Voters queue outside a polling booth in Ayodhya's Milkipur to cast their votes in the assembly bypoll on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

The bypoll was necessitated after its MLA Awadhesh Prasad won the Faizabad seat in which Ayodhya city lies. The nine-time SP legislator defeated two-time BJP lawmaker Lallu Singh by a margin of 54,567 votes.

ALSO READ: Milkipur bypoll: BJP’s Hindutva, SP’s PDA at play in Dalit contest

“The polling is underway peacefully at all the polling stations. Magistrate and police officials are on patrol... Paramilitary forces are deployed at critical polling stations... Strict action will be taken against those who spread rumours or are involved in any other illegal activity,” Praveen Kumar, inspector general (IG), Ayodhya Range, told ANI.

In the previously held by-elections for nine assembly seats, the BJP secured victories in six constituencies. The Samajwadi Party (SP) managed to hold its ground in two, while the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won the Meerapur seat.

ALSO READ: Milkipur bypoll to send strong message for future of UP politics: Akhilesh

BSP not contesting polls, Cong backing INDIA ally SP

More than 1.93 lakh male voters, and over 1.78 lakh female voters and eight third-gender people are registered to vote for the bypoll. There are 4,811 first-time voters in the assembly constituency.

While BSP isn't contesting the bypoll, the Congress is backing its alliance partner SP on the seat. Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) has also fielded a candidate from the seat.

Besides the chief minister, UP's two deputy CMs -- Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak -- also campaigned for the BJP candidate. The SP sent its MP from Mainpuri and Akhilesh Yadav's wife, Dimple Yadav, for a roadshow in Milkipur, PTI reported.

(With PTI, ANI inputs)

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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