New Delhi: The stage is set for a direct contest between Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav in the state’s assembly byelections. This came after Congress decided not to contest the bypolls. While Yogi will lead the NDA, Yadav heads the INDIA bloc’s efforts. Voting for nine assembly constituencies will take place on November 13.
The elections are significant for the UP CM, who aims to recover the BJP’s standing after a poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, sparking internal dissent within the party. The bypolls offer him a chance to restore the party’s prestige. He has been actively campaigning across the constituencies, meeting local leaders and holding public rallies. The BJP is also targeting youth, farmers, and women through job fairs and new schemes.
Akhilesh’s PDA vs Yogi’s welfare scheme
Of the nine seats up for election, four are SP strongholds. Yogi has worked to challenge this dominance, playing a central role in candidate selection and strategy. The BJP is fielding four OBC candidates to regain its support base, with Yogi leading the charge.
Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav is focusing on micromanagement from the SP’s election war room, confident that the PDA formula (backwards, Dalits, and minorities) that brought the INDIA bloc success in the general election will work again. Yadav has been strengthening booth committees, resolving disputes, and enhancing the SP’s social media outreach. He made a key move by ensuring the SP fields candidates in all nine seats, with Congress accepting his leadership in the alliance.
Among the nine seats, eight were vacated after sitting MLAs were elected to the Lok Sabha in 2024. Polling is set for November 13, with results to be declared on November 23.
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