The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled their lineup of 7 candidates for the impending Uttar Pradesh by-elections. Sanjeev Sharma, who presides over the city BJP in Ghaziabad, has secured a nomination. On the other hand, Anujesh Yadav is set to contest from the Karhal seat. Deliberations continue for the Sisamau seat in Kanpur, while the Mirapur seat might be contested by RLD.
From Kundarki, the party has fielded Ramveer Singh Thakur. Additionally, Surendra Diler will contest for the Khair (SC) seat, Anujesh Yadav for Karhal, Deepak Patel for Phulpur, Dharmaraj Nishad for Katehari, and Smt. Suchismita Maurya for Majhwa.
Spotlight on the Candidates
Dharmaraj Nishad hails from a traditional BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) background, having been an MLA from BSP thrice and even a minister. Joining BJP before the 2022 elections, Dharmaraj is hoping for a different result after losing last time. In Majhwa, BJP's former MLA Suchismita Maurya makes a return as the party recalls its veteran for this crucial battle. Meanwhile, at Aligarh's Khair, Surendra Diler, son of former BJP MP Rajveer Diler, grabs the spotlight. In a surprising move, BJP nominates Anujesh Yadav, brother-in-law to SP leader Dharmendra Yadav, MP from Azamgarh, for the Karhal seat.
Source: aajtak
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Nishad Party's Seat Aspirations
BJP's ally Nishad Party pitched for two seats in this by-election; however, the released list indicates that they received none. Last time, Nishad Party contested Katehari, and their candidates ran under BJP's emblem in Majhwa. Their leader, Sanjay Nishad, continues lobbying for influence over these seats in the current elections.
BJP Facing Major Challenges
Several seats in the upcoming by-elections pose significant challenges for BJP—most noteworthy being Moradabad's Kundarki after Karhal in Akhilesh Yadav's stronghold. In the 2022 assembly elections, SP's Ziaur Rahman won from Kundarki and later became a Lok Sabha MP from Sambhal. BJP has managed to clinch Kundarki's seat only once, in 1993. The constituency comprises approximately 65% Muslim voters and 35% Hindu voters.
Meanwhile, Syama Prasad Mookerjee's formidable Sisamau seat in Kanpur lies vacant due to MLA Irfan Solanki's conviction. The SP might choose a new candidate from Solanki's family, resonating local empathy despite local SP traction. These dynamics create a formidable challenge for BJP.
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UP Prepares For 9 By-Election Battles
Originally, by-elections were expected across 10 UP seats: Mainpuri’s Karhal, Kanpur’s Sisamau, Prayagraj’s Phulpur, Ambedkar Nagar’s Katehari, Mirzapur’s Majhwa, Ayodhya’s Milkipur, Ghaziabad’s Sadar, Aligarh’s Khair, Muzaffarnagar’s Mirapur, and Moradabad’s Kundarki. However, elections are yet to be announced for Milkipur, leaving 9 ready for upcoming electoral contests.
