BJP faces revolt ahead of crucial Ayodhya by-elections, former MP quits PC over alleged ‘mafia elements’ in Dias

The upcoming by-elections in the 10 assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh have become a battle of prestige for the BJP, especially in the Milkipur seat of Ayodhya. The seat was earlier held by Avdhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party, who defeated Lallu Singh of the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. After the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha programme, the Milkipur seat has become a matter of prestige for the BJP. The party is leaving no stone unturned to win this seat and finish off the SP-led India Alliance in UP.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is personally monitoring the situation and is visiting Ayodhya regularly. He recently attended a Shiv Mandir Pran Pratishtha programme on September 7.

However, the internal divisions within the BJP have once again come to the fore. On Thursday, former MP Lallu Singh walked out of a press conference hosted by the party’s state general secretary Sanjay Rai in Ayodhya. Singh alleged that there were “mafia elements” on the dais and that he could not share the dais with them.

Lallu Singh did not name anyone directly. But he was clearly referring to BJP leader Shivendra Singh, who was sitting on the dais. “Mafias were present on the dais and I can never associate myself with such elements,” Singh told media persons. “I have consistently fought against the mafia because they exploit and oppress the society.”

It is noteworthy that Shivendra Singh was arrested for attempt to murder and under the Gangster Act and was lodged in Faizabad Jail in 2018. Later, he was shifted to Barabanki Jail. “Former MP Lallu Singh personally campaigned with notorious criminals and dreaded history book writers during his election, which ultimately led to his defeat in the elections,” Shivendra Singh said.’’

Singh’s outburst has left the party red-faced, especially as it tries to present a united front in the upcoming elections. The party is already facing a tough challenge in the by-elections, and this internal rebellion has only added to the woes.

BJP’s membership drive and upcoming changes

The BJP is currently on a membership drive across the country, including Uttar Pradesh. However, party insiders reveal that major changes are expected after the campaign is over. Around 50 district and city presidents who failed to perform in the Lok Sabha elections will be replaced.

The changes will have a domino effect from the district level to the top, and will be implemented after October 15. The Party has divided the state into 98 organizational districts, and the changes will be implemented accordingly.

The Ayodhya uprising has added to the party’s woes ahead of crucial by-elections. The party is trying to rein in its leaders and project a united front, but internal rifts are becoming increasingly visible.