Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday termed the Milkipur Assembly by-election to be held on February 5 in Ayodhya as the ‘biggest by-election in the country’ and expressed confidence of defeating the BJP.
“This by-election will be a decisive moment,” Yadav said at a press conference at the party headquarters here. The representative of PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) is the Samajwadi Party candidate who is contesting the by-election. I appeal to all journalists to cover this historic election. “Such a unique and important by-election should be studied for its impact on democracy.”
The former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh called on the government to ensure a free and transparent election process. Highlighting the declining influence of the BJP, Yadav claimed, “BJP is losing its grip in Milkipur also. Farmers, traders, youth and women are all ready to defeat them. BJP will have to face a crushing defeat in this by-election.”
The SP president cautioned against political manipulation and said, “We have seen that discussing the strong position of SP can lead to misuse of power by the ruling party. However, the resolve of the people to oust BJP from power remains firm.”
He said, ‘They talk about culture, but are building five-star hotels with bars. Is this the BJP’s vision for Ayodhya?
The BJP on Tuesday named Chandrabhan Paswan as its candidate for the Milkipur by-election, while the Samajwadi Party has fielded Ajit Prasad, son of Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad.
The Congress has decided not to field its own candidate and support the candidate of the Samajwadi Party (SP), which is a component of the ‘India’ alliance.
Voting for the by-election in Milkipur is to be held on February 5, and counting of votes will take place on February 8.