Will the lotus bloom in Karhal with the 22-year-old formula? This is BJP's plan

By elections / Will the lotus bloom in Karhal with the 22-year-old formula? This is BJP's plan

By elections - Will the lotus bloom in Karhal with the 22-year-old formula? This is BJP's plan

By elections: The board for the assembly by-election in Uttar Pradesh has been laid. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has fielded Tej Pratap Yadav as his political successor on the Karhal seat. According to caste mathematics and previous electoral track record, the politics of Karhal has been favorable to the SP, while it has been challenging for the opposition. In such a situation, Akhilesh had made Karhal his karmabhoomi in 2022 and has now expressed confidence in his nephew. On the other hand, BJP has given ticket to Anujesh Pratap Yadav to make lotus bloom in Karhal, and in this way it is running the bet of 22-year-old formula.

Historical background of Karhal seat

The political existence of Karhal assembly seat started after delimitation in 1956. This seat is Yadav dominated, and most of the MLAs have been elected from Yadav community. Since the formation of SP, SP has maintained its undisputed rule on Karhal seat. SP has won this seat continuously since 1993, losing only to BJP's Sobran Yadav in 2002.

SP's stronghold

SP has dominated the Karhal seat for years. Due to the political dominance of Mulayam Singh Yadav, the hopes of SP's victory on this seat have always been high. Even before the formation of SP, leaders close to Mulayam Singh have been winning from Karhal seat. Now, in the by-election, SP has once again tried to strengthen its hold by fielding Tej Pratap Yadav.

BJP's Yadav vs Yadav bet

BJP had won a historic victory in 2002 by fielding its Yadav candidate against SP's Yadav candidate. Now once again, BJP has tried to make inroads into Yadav votes by fielding Anujesh Pratap Yadav on the same lines. Anujesh is Dharmendra Yadav's brother-in-law and BJP hopes that this will help them get Yadav votes.

Importance of caste equation

Karhal seat has around 3.25 lakh voters, of which Yadav voters are the most. After this, Dalit, Shakya, and Thakur voters are also important. SP is dependent on the equation of Yadav, Shakya, and Muslim votes, while BJP is trying to woo upper caste, Thakur and Baghel voters. Caste equations can prove to be decisive in this by-election.

Waiting for election results

The contest between SP and BJP in Karhal by-election is going to be very interesting. SP wants to maintain its victory through Tej Pratap, while BJP is trying to make lotus bloom like in 2002. It remains to be seen which party is able to win in the electoral field this time, and whether SP is able to save its stronghold or BJP is able to repeat history.