By Pradeep Kapoor
LUCKNOW: Milkipur assembly by-election scheduled on February 5 has become more interesting with the entry of the candidate from Azad Samaj Party of Chandra Shekhar Azad MP from Bijnore, a prominent dalit leader from Western UP.
Since Milkipur assembly constituency is part of Ayodhya Lok Sabha seat won by Samajwadi Party candidate Awadesh Prasad who was sitting MLA from this constituency the entire nation is watching the by-election. Prior to the entry of Azad, Samaj Party candidate Suraj Choudhry, it was considered to be direct election between Samajwadi Party and BJP.
At a time when BSP decided to keep away from this prestigious by-election in reserved constituency, the entry of candidate from the party leader Chandra Shekhar Ravan has assumed significance. With this election Chandra Shekhar Ravan wants to give political message to Samajwadi Party as well as to BJP for 2027 assembly polls.
It would be worth mentioning here that Chandra Shekhar Ravan himself wanted to have alliance with Samajwadi Party in last Lok Sabha elections but talks with Akhilesh Yadav failed as no adjustment could be made possible on seats.
With the decline in vote share and seats of BSP led by Mayawati, an ambitious Chandra Shekhar Ravan is looking to fill the space by right positioning. Since BSP was founded by Kansiram, Chandra Shekhar Ravan has also added the name of dalit thinker and social reformer and his party is now as Azad Samaj Party (Kansiram).
Significantly the candidate fielded by Azad Samaj Party Suraj Choudhry had earlier been with Samajwadi Party and was very close associate of Awadesh Prasad MP from Ayodhya. With Awadesh Prasad becoming MP from Ayodhya he quit Milkipur seat paving way for by-poll. Suraj Choudhry wanted to become candidate but the party decided in favour of Ajeet Prasad son of Awadesh Prasad.
Shocked by this development Gauri Choudhry got in touch with Chandra Shekhar Ravan who was looking for a suitable candidate. With a result Gauri Choudhry left Samajwadi Party with 500 supporters and accused the party leadership of promoting ‘parivarwad’. The pasi community votes will be divided among these candidates. Gauri Choudhry invited Chandra Shekhar Ravan and organised an impressive public meeting for him.
Since all the three candidates Ajeet Prasad from SP, Chandra Bhanu Paswan of BJP belong to pasi (dalit) community the election is bound to become interesting. Milkipur has 3.5 lakh voters with 55,000 pasi, 1.2 lakhs kori (dalit), 55,000 Yadav, 60.000 Muslims, 25000 kshatria and 50000 other backwards.
In a triangular contest which party will be able to manage caste votes better to win the election, is to be seen on February 8 when election result will be declared.
After the defeat in Lok Sabha polls especially in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself is monitoring the campaign in Milkipur and deputed over a dozen ministers to reach out to masses. He also announced several development schemes to win over the voters.
On the other, Samajwadi Party national president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has staked personal prestige to retain Milkipur assembly constituency and has mobilised all resources to ensure victory of Party candidate Ajeet Prasad.
Samajwadi Party has appealed to the Election Commission to conduct free and fare election in Milkipur .Samajwadi Party workers alleged that a large number of officials were already transferred to influence the election.
Samajwadi Party accused UP police of lodging false cases against key office-bearers in Ayodhya to prevent them from campaigning for the party candidate Ajeet Prasad. Samajwadi Party has also lodged complaint with the Election Commission. (IPA Service)