Ghosi Assembly Bypoll: BJP Faces Off Against INDIA Bloc in Uttar Pradesh

TEN NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi, Sep 04, 2023: The Ghosi assembly bypoll in Uttar Pradesh is set to witness a showdown between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a constituent of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc.

The recently formed opposition INDIA bloc, comprising parties like the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, and RLD, is backing Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Sudhakar Singh. He will face BJP’s Dara Singh Chauhan, the incumbent MLA who defected from the SP and resigned from his seat.

Although the bypoll won’t impact the BJP’s majority in the state legislature, it could serve as a precursor to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Uttar Pradesh holds significant sway with 80 MPs. Ghosi has a diverse voter base, with approximately 4.38 lakh voters, including 90,000 Muslims, 60,000 Dalits, and 77,000 from various upper-caste communities.

Voting for the bypoll will take place from 7 am to 6 pm, with results to be announced on September 8. Singh enjoys support not only from the Congress and Left parties but also from other INDIA bloc members like the Aam Aadmi Party, CPI(ML)-Liberation, and the Suheldev Swabhiman Party (SSP).

The ruling BJP has rallied behind Chauhan, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other leaders actively campaigning. On the other hand, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has urged Ghosi voters to back his party’s candidate to send a message to the BJP.

The bypoll also offers the BJP an opportunity to reinforce its position in Uttar Pradesh. If the SP emerges victorious, it will boost Akhilesh Yadav’s role within the INDIA bloc and strengthen his candidacy for leading the bloc in the upcoming general elections.