Ram temple Ayodhya.
Expansion
The names of Faizabad district and railway station changed, but Ayodhya is still registered in the name of Faizabad in the records of the Election Commission. The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in UP focuses on Awadh and most of the Lok Sabha constituencies of Awadh, including Faizabad, go to polls on May 20. But, many political analysts are restless that the tide regarding Ram Temple which was visible around the consecration ceremony on January 22, is no longer visible. Why are the voters silent? Will this issue have any impact?
We asked this same question to independent journalist Dr. in Ayodhya. Done with Chandra Gopal Pandey. Dr. Pandey says, till now about 1.5 crore devotees have visited Ram temple since Pran-Pratishtha. These visitors are coming from all over the country. Those who have come to Ayodhya before, see changes from the station and airport to the streets and temples of Ayodhya. This shows that the issue and attraction of Ram Mandir continues among the people and it is meaningless to think that elections and politics will remain free from its impact.
We found Rakesh Yadav near Saket College. He says, when questions started being raised on the issues of inflation, unemployment, paper leak and reservation, BJP became restless. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached here on May 5 itself to do a road show. The PM did all this very cleverly to focus people’s wandering attention and bring Ayodhya back into the limelight at the national level. Otherwise, they would have come to Ayodhya around 15-18 May. After the arrival of PM, the discussion on Ayodhya and Ram temple intensified. He says, Ram belongs to everyone, hence Ram should not be brought into politics. However, Ram Jiyavan of Dalit community, who met near Milkipur town, says that the main fight is between BJP and SP. It is necessary for BJP to win in Ayodhya, otherwise it will be defamed in the whole world.
seat equation
- BJP’s Lallu Singh won the 2019 elections by barely 65 thousand votes despite getting 5.29 lakh votes. Anand Sen Yadav, the SP candidate from the SP-BSP alliance, had received 4.63 lakh votes. If the 53 thousand votes received by Congress’s Nirmal Khatri were added to the alliance, the difference would have become very close. Whereas, in 2014 Lallu won the elections by 2.81 lakh votes. This time he might be feeling a little relieved from the Ram Mandir factor. But, SP may benefit from Nirmal Khatri and Congress not being in the fray.
- Pasi community has a good number in Faizabad seat. BJP is considered to have a good influence in the Pasi community. To make a dent in BJP’s Pasi vote bank, SP considered Yadav and Muslim voters as its core vote bank and fielded senior MLA Awadhesh Prasad from Pasi community. Anand Sen family is said to be angry with this.
- As a result of Sen family not getting tickets, Anand Sen’s brother and former IPS officer Arvind Sen has joined the fray from CPI. After about 33 years in the saffron fort, a person from a prominent political family has come into the fray from the Communist Party. Apart from SP and BSP, Arvind’s father Mitrasen Yadav has also been an MP from CPI. Mitrasen has also been MLA five times.
- Amardev Prajapati, met in Tikra, says that the Yadav community is discussing that if Awadhesh Prasad becomes MP, then the politics of Yadavs will end from the parliamentary seat of Faizabad. That’s why all the Yadavs are moving towards Arvind Sen and BJP. There is less possibility of SP getting support from Yadavs like before.
- On the other hand, BSP has fielded Brahmin community candidate Sachchidanand Pandey to make the path difficult for BJP. Pandey has been in BJP. Along with the cadre votes, he is seen making a dent in the Brahmin votes at some places.
- Another challenge for SP is that one of its MLAs from the district, Abhay Singh, has joined the BJP. Abhay’s wife Sarita Singh, many of his associates and other family members are seeking votes for BJP.
Key points
- Rajendra Prasad of Nishad Samaj, who met in Bhadarsa Nagar Panchayat, told that there is a problem of stray animals, but Samman Nidhi is being received. Pension has also increased. The temple was also built.
- Amarnath Gupta, who met him near Khajurhat, told that when Modi-Yogi come to the meeting, they start talking by paying obeisance to the Gods and Goddesses and the public. SP and Congress people do Tata-Goodbye. Here, Ramji has the emphasis.
- Bahadur Yadav, met in Kakarhi market, says that if SP comes, hooliganism will increase. Got ration and accommodation. The temple has been built. Hindus have their heads held high. We will vote on this work.
- Ram Bhawan, a mason in Bala Sarai, says that inflation is very high. The price of cylinder has increased a lot. But, the vote will go to Ram temple. It is also said that Awadhesh Prasad is giving a tough competition.
- Keshav Ram Pandey, who met in Bahadurpur draft, says that MPs do not do any work. Win in the name of BJP. Dinesh Kumar Yadav, who met him in Daryaabad, says that the Yadav vote is also getting divided a bit. Most of the Pasis here are with BJP. Keep watching, Anand Sen’s entire family will join SP.
warriors of this summer
- Lallu Singh, BJP: Age-69 years, Education-MA, LLB. Has been MLA from Ayodhya assembly seat five times. Became MP from Faizabad in 2014 and 2019. He has once been a Minister of State in the Uttar Pradesh Government.
- Awadhesh Prasad, SP: Age-79 years, Education-MA, LLB. He is a 9-time MLA from Sohawal and Milkipur assembly seats. Has been a cabinet minister in Uttar Pradesh government 6 times.
- Sachchidanand Pandey, BSP: Age-33 years, Education-BA. Resident of Azamgarh. Started politics with BJP. Was seeking ticket from Ambedkar Nagar Lok Sabha seat. Joined BSP before the elections.
