Faizabad prepares to welcome Lord Ram ahead of 2024 elections

Faizabad, the land of Lord Ram, has never elected a woman candidate since 1951. The major political parties have not fielded any women candidates, leaving independents to vie for the seat. Former UP chief minister Suchitra Kripalani contested in 1971 but lost.

This year’s election in the newly renamed Ayodhya district is significant due to the grand Ram temple opening and extensive infrastructural development in the city. BJP’s Lallu Singh, seeking his third term as MP, has led the transformation with new airport, railway station, roads, and temple, boosting the city’s economy.

Challenging Lallu Singh is Samajwadi Party’s Awadhesh Prasad, a Pasi caste member from the SC category and the sitting MLA from Milkipur. Singh’s position is further solidified with Abhay Singh, an SP MLA from neighboring Gosainganj, joining the BJP recently. Despite a low-key campaign, Singh remains optimistic about NDA’s victory under PM Modi’s leadership.

Local journalist Rakesh Tiwari notes, “There is no specific reason why women have not won from here. Major political parties did not field women candidates and this could be a reason.” Voters in Ayodhya will have the power to change this narrative when they cast their votes on May 20.