The Milkipur assembly by-election held on February 5, 2025, concluded with significant political ramifications as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory over the Samajwadi Party (SP). BJP's candidate, Chandrabhan Paswan, emerged victorious, garnering over 145,893 votes against SP's Ajit Prasad, who received 84,687 votes, marking a decisive lead of 61,639 votes. This victory is being hailed as historical, considering the political significance of the Milkipur seat, embedded deeply within Ayodhya district.
The backdrop of this by-election was set by the resignation of Awadhesh Prasad, the former MLA, who left his assembly position to contest the Lok Sabha elections. His resignation created space for this electoral battle, and the stakes were particularly high since Milkipur was previously held by SP during the last assembly elections. Reportedly, the voter turnout was approximately 65.25%, indicating considerable public engagement.
Right from the beginning of the vote counting process, Chandrabhan Paswan maintained the lead, signaling BJP's strong grassroots support. The counting began early on February 8, 2025, and after 31 rounds, the BJP's position only seemed to strengthen as challenges from the SP dwindled.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the results, stating, "The victory reflects the unwavering trust the people have placed in our governance, one marked by development and public welfare." The BJP's success is seen as part of its larger strategy to consolidate power across Uttar Pradesh, particularly following their previous losses to SP.
Despite the victorious moment for BJP, the SP did not go down quietly. Akhilesh Yadav, the SP National President, made allegations about electoral malpractices, claiming, "The BJP has misused the electoral system to gain victory through unfair means." His comments highlight the sharp political rivalry and the lengths to which both parties may go to defend their reputations.
Specific allegations from the SP included claims of voter intimidation and manipulation of the electoral process. The party cried foul, with Akhilesh Yadav vowing to address these grievances with the Election Commission. He expressed his discontent with how the electoral mechanism was administered, stating, "The government has killed democracy. BJP is trying to suppress the voices of the electorate. This is not just our fight; it's for the future of our democratic rights."
On the contrary, Paswan attributed his success to the strength of BJP's welfare schemes. He asserted, "The public of Milkipur have supported our welfare schemes, which were effectively communicated to them, reflecting on the trust placed on us to govern the state consciously and effectively."
The electoral battle saw not only prominent participation from BJP and SP but also minor parties like the Azad Samaj Party, represented by Suraj Chaudhary, which failed to make headway against the leading candidates. While the BJP and SP were vying for the electoral win, the absence of candidates from rival parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is noteworthy, as BSP did not field any candidate, lending support to the SP.
The 2025 Milkipur results are being viewed as pivotal not just for regional politics but for the aligning strategies of the major parties as they navigate the ever-precarious political climate of Uttar Pradesh. The results could reshape alliances and alter strategies for the forthcoming assembly elections, giving BJP the leverage it needs to consolidate power and push back against the opposition's narrative.
Political analysts point out the by-election signifies the potential shift or confirmation of public sentiment toward the ruling party, especially with the backdrop of long-term trends showing fluctuated loyalties among the electorate. The Milkipur results could be indicative of how the local populace feels about the effectiveness and integrity of the BJP-led government, against the claims of the SP.
These milestones and the happenings leading to the 2025 by-election results will serve as significant reference points for analysis as stakeholders prepare for the future political arena, reflecting public trust, democratic integrity, and the overarching struggle for power within Uttar Pradesh.