Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday addressed a public rally in Milkipur, emphasizing the massive turnout at the Triveni Sangam, where 34 crore devotees have taken a holy dip so far.
SP’s Opposition to Development in Ayodhya
During his speech, CM Yogi took a sharp dig at the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing them of opposing key religious and infrastructural developments in Ayodhya.
“When Ram Lalla was established in Ayodhya after so many years, even then the Samajwadi Party opposed it. When the Ayodhya International Airport was named after Maharshi Valmiki, even then the SP opposed it. In the last two months, all the tweets of the SP Chief have been against the Maha Kumbh, the biggest spiritual and cultural event of this century,” said CM Yogi.
Milkipur By-Election: A Fight Between Nationalism and Dynastic Politics
Describing the Milkipur by-election as a contest between nationalism and dynastic politics, Yogi Adityanath accused the SP of hindering UP’s development and suppressing religious sentiments.
“We formed the Anti-Land Mafia Task Force in 2017. The SP is worried that if the double-engine government continues, all their corrupt businesses will suffer. This is the same party that once ordered police to fire at Ram devotees in Ayodhya. They cannot be trusted,” CM Yogi stated.
Key Candidates in the Milkipur By-Election
The Milkipur by-election, scheduled for February 5, has drawn significant political attention. The BJP has fielded Chandrabhan Paswan, while the Samajwadi Party has nominated Ajit Prasad, son of Awadhesh Prasad.
Interestingly, the Congress, an ally of SP in the INDIA bloc, has chosen not to field a candidate and has pledged full support to SP’s nominee.
SP’s Confidence in Victory
SP leader Dimple Yadav expressed strong confidence in her party’s success in the by-election.
“The Samajwadi Party will secure a great victory. A strong message will be sent across the state and country from Milkipur,” said Yadav.
BJP vs SP: A Look at Recent Election Results
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw a setback for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, as the INDIA alliance won 43 seats, with SP leading with 37 seats. The BJP-led NDA secured only 36 seats out of the total 80.
However, BJP bounced back in the November 2024 assembly by-polls, securing six seats, while its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RJD) won one seat. SP, on the other hand, managed only two seats out of nine.
Stampede at Maha Kumbh: SP Calls for Increased Compensation
Amid the political battle, SP leader Dimple Yadav also addressed the recent stampede at Maha Kumbh, offering condolences to the victims’ families.
“This is a very unfortunate and tragic incident. Our condolences go out to the affected families. We urge the government to increase the compensation amount and ensure that all bodies are handed over to their families,” Yadav demanded.
With elections just days away, Milkipur remains a crucial battleground, reflecting larger political shifts in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 state elections.