The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is optimistic about winning all seats in the first phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh with the Rashtriya Lok Dal as its ally. The public mood and electoral combinations are in favor of the BJP-RLD combine, according to a party functionary. In the 2019 elections, the SP-BSP combine had secured five seats, but this time the BJP is making strategic moves to secure victory.
In Bijnor, the RLD has fielded Chandan Chauhan against the SP candidate Yashveer Singh. The BSP, on the other hand, has fielded Bijendra Singh who left RLD to join Mayawati’s party. In Rampur, the BJP is looking to secure victory with candidate Ghanshyam Lodhi, who had won a bypoll in 2022. The Azam Khan factor continues to play a role in Rampur, even though his family is not participating in the elections.
The BJP is also aiming to wrest back Saharanpur and Moradabad, where the SP had secured victory in 2019. Key constituencies like Kairana and Muzaffarnagar are witnessing intense battles between BJP and opposition candidates. The reserved seat of Nagina will see a change of candidates, with speculations of Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad entering the fray.
The spotlight is on the Pilibhit seat as the BJP is yet to decide on fielding sitting MP Varun Gandhi, who has been critical of the party. The Samajwadi Party has expressed openness to field Varun Gandhi if he does not contest with the BJP. Whether or not Varun Gandhi is named as a candidate, the contest in Pilibhit is expected to draw public attention.
The first phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh is crucial, with strategic moves and key battles shaping the political landscape. The outcome of these elections will set the tone for the subsequent phases, making it a closely watched political scenario in the state.
