06-Feb-2025, 02:09 PM
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has accused the ruling BJP of rigging the Milkipur assembly bypoll in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya. Yadav alleges that the BJP undermined the democratic process through corrupt practices, including voter suppression and fraudulent activity. He urged the Election Commission to take strict action against those involved.
Allegations of Rigging
Electoral Malpractice: Yadav claimed the BJP government colluded with local authorities to engage in widespread electoral malpractice, including fake voting and intimidation of voters and election agents. He cited an instance in Raipatti Amaniganj where an individual confessed to voting fraud.
Booth Agents and Voter Intimidation: SP booth agents were allegedly harassed at polling stations, with BJP supporters resorting to violence to influence the election outcome. Yadav stated that police and administration openly shielded BJP workers and allowed them to violate the election code of conduct.
Police Misconduct: Yadav accused the police of creating a climate of fear among voters by checking IDs and preventing many from casting their votes. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) demanding action from the Election Commission. Ayodhya Police responded by stating that Yadav’s tweets were misleading and that police personnel were only verifying the credentials of a polling agent.
EVM Issues and Disenfranchisement: There were reports of faulty EVMs, with some booths experiencing disruptions. Yadav alleged that voters were denied the chance to vote despite these issues.
Humiliation of Muslim Women: Yadav claimed that Muslim women were subjected to humiliation, with some forced to remove their burqas for identification.
SP Accusations: The SP accused election officials and police personnel of influencing voting patterns and dismissing party agents from several polling booths.
BJP’s Response
The BJP dismissed Yadav’s claims as baseless and a result of frustration following the SP’s anticipated defeat. BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi accused Yadav of engaging in “propaganda politics” and attempting to shift blame through false information. Tripathi refuted claims of electoral malpractice, suggesting Yadav would blame EVMs for the defeat.
Context of the Bypoll
The Milkipur bypoll was necessitated after SP’s Awadhesh Prasad won the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 elections. While the SP aimed to retain the seat, the BJP sought to avenge its loss in Faizabad. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, Milkipur was the only seat the BJP lost in the Ayodhya district
