BJP and SP intensify campaigning for UP bypolls

BJP and SP intensify campaigns for UP bypolls with caste- based strategies, poster war, and ideological clashes.

- TIKAM SHARMA

With only three days left until the bypolls, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) are intensifying their campaigns to win over voters. These bypolls are especially crucial for BJP, as the party seeks to demonstrate its strength after a major setback in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, SP is determined to continue its strong performance, following its success in the Lok Sabha elections. In addition to these two major parties, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is also looking to gain momentum ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Nine out of ten assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh are up for bypolls after their MLAs were elected to the Lok Sabha in June 2024. The polls are set for November 20, coinciding with the Maharashtra Assembly elections, with results to be announced on November 23, the same day as the Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly elections. Originally, the bypolls were scheduled for November 13, but the Election Commission of India rescheduled them to November 20 after national and state parties expressed concerns over low voter turnout due to festivals coinciding with the initial dates.

With the bypolls approaching, political parties in Uttar Pradesh have launched a "poster war" to attract voters.