Milkipur By-Election: A High-Stakes Political Confrontation

The Milkipur assembly by-election in Uttar Pradesh is a crucial contest between the BJP and Samajwadi Party, following a Lok Sabha upset in Faizabad. Amid allegations of voter influence, this high-stakes electoral battle will shape the political dynamics of the region, with results pending on February 8.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to manipulate the ongoing by-election in the Milkipur assembly constituency. Prasad alleged that party workers were being chased from polling booths, signaling tensions as the voting commenced at 7 AM on Wednesday.

The necessity for this by-election arose after Prasad vacated the seat following his victory in the Faizabad Lok Sabha election. The BJP seeks to reclaim the constituency, viewed as crucial for re-establishing its regional influence, especially after an unexpected defeat in the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, home to the famous Ayodhya Ram Mandir.

With the Scheduled Castes (SC)-reserved seat holding a voter base of 370,829, key contenders include Samajwadi Party's Ajit Prasad and BJP's Chandrabhanu Paswan. Authorities have ensured a peaceful voting process, with paramilitary forces deployed. Results are anticipated on February 8, potentially reshaping Uttar Pradesh's political fabric.

(With inputs from agencies.)