Lallu Singh In War Mode; Not Taking Anything For Granted: Ground Report From Ayodhya

Before the pran prathishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir on 22 January 2024, the occasion of Ram Navami served as an imaginary scale of reference for measuring the pilgrim footfall in Ayodhya. “Ramnavami waali sankhya.” 

Exactly four months later, Ayodhyawasis have kept that scale aside. The Ayodhya of Ramlalla is witnessing “Ram Navami each day since 22 January,” they say. 

The story of transformation in Ayodhya is written in political ink. Yet, In Faizabad constituency (the district name is changed to ‘Ayodhya’, the constituency is still ‘Faizabad’), Lallu Singh, the immensely popular sitting member of Parliament and five-time MLA, seems unwilling to take things for granted. 

He is in war mode. 

The Lallu Singh Leverage 

The evidence of transformation converges at the Hanumangarhi Mandir, where devotees converge to begin and end their journey to the Ram Mandir.

New buses and e-rickshaws are packed with devotees from across India. Hawkers, hotels and shops are noticing the leap in their incomes. At the centre of the multitude of pilgrims are three prominent leaders of the BJP:

1. Narendra Modi: synonymous with the once-in-five centuries transformation in Ayodhya.

3. Lallu Singh: the provocateur of change in Faizabad’s internalised shift from past to present — sitting Member of Parliament and BJP’s candidate for 2024.

Ram Samuchdas, a voter from Hanumangarhi Mandir area in Ayodhya told this author: “Demands of people have been met by the government and that would turn the election day into a festival.

"The roadshow done by PM Modi in Ayodhya and the warmth with which people turned up in his honour was an indicator of how people welcome the efforts of this government.

"When structural changes in the market areas were taking place here, people saw hardships, but they knew that it was meant to bring transformation never imagined. The building of Ram Mandir has completely transformed our lives and businesses.” 

PM Modi’s roadshow held in Ayodhya on 5 May presented a compact and true picture of the robust jugalbandi in the two MPs who have reshaped the intangible and tangible aspects of Hindu consciousness. 

Across Ayodhya, the perception is that there is no moment bigger for the BJP, electorally, than 20 May, when Ram Mandir, development and Hindu resurgence would become reasons for Ayodhya’s BJP-supporting voter to cultivate another term for Lallu Singh. 

Yet, Singh is bent on making the BJP emerge as the singular force with a bigger margin than 2019. 

Caste factors can keep even the mightiest electoral warriors on toes. The leaning of the Yadavs to Samajwadi Party and the interest being shown by the lower castes in SP is not a tightly-packed secret in Faizabad. However, at the BJP’s office spaces in Faizabad, workers told this author that all castes, regardless of what perceptions on their alignment say, are with the BJP. 

Lallu Singh told this author: “Ek dum galata hai. In logon ne, vipaksh ke logon ne aur kshetriya partiyan jitni theen, wo jaativaad ki rajniti karti hai, kyonki isee adhar par wo satta mein aana chahti hain, isliye wo desh ke hit mein nahin rehtee. To usmein thhoda sa asar rehta hai (the perception is wrong. Caste-based politics done by the opposition and regional parties is never aligned with the nation. They practise it to remain in power. It does leave an impact.”  

He adds, “However, there the good people in them, who respond to my work and politics. Jabse hum rajniti shuru kiye thhe, hamare mann mein kabhi kisi jaat ke liye nafrat ya virodh nahin, bhale hee wo virodhi ho. Aap kisee Yadav se poochh leejiye, ki bataiye jahan virodh kiya ho, wo bataa nahin paaye (I never have had any caste-based bias in me since the beginning or opposed anyone on the basis of caste, even when the person concerned is in the opposition. Ask any Yadav if I have any caste-based bias, he will not be able to give a single instance).”

The Fight Outside Ayodhya 

Midnight is just an hour away. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Faizabad resembles a meticulous laboratory packed in discipline and discussions. Singh who returned from campaign and sabhas for the day around 10 pm, has “Milkipur” on his mind.  

The constant murmur of discussions ceases as Singh enters the meeting space. “His style of work, whether during the polls, or after, is intense. The meeting could go on for well past midnight. He does not rest. If he returns from the ground campaign at midnight, he will disperse the meetings here only by 2 am. The next day, he is out for his first campaign of the day early morning.

"Within the organisation, he trusts people for their work. He is hugely respected for these traits.”

The display of respect for Lallu Singh is evident at the BJP’s organisational meets towards the booths — the most vital centre of power. 

For reference, Milkipur, the Vidhan Sabha, is under Samajwadi Party. 

In the 2022 Vidhan Sabha poll of Uttar Pradesh, the constituency was won by Awadesh Prasad (SP). Prasad got 1,03,905 votes — taking 47.99 per cent of the vote share and defeated Baba Gorakhnath of the BJP who stood at 90,278 votes — 41.83 per cent vote share. Congress got 1.46 per cent vote share in this election. The alliance has fielded Prasad against Lallu Singh in 2024. 

Prasad snatched back Milkipur from Baba Gorakhnath in 2022 after losing to him in 2017. Prasad’s vote share was 29.36 per cent against Gorakhnath's 43.51 per cent in the 2017 election.  Prasad is receiving vocal support from SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav. 

In an effort to corner Prasad for Lok Sabha 2024, the BJP is organising its second rally of Yogi Adityanath in Ayodhya on 17 May. The SP-Congress alliance is aiming for the “sajaatiya” vote and is confident of drawing the Muslim support. 

On 15 May, at a SP rally, Akhilesh Yadav attacked the BJP on its farm policies during 10 years of rule. He reminded voters at the rally about BJP’s “kaale kanoon”.

He said, “They claimed that the income of farmers will double, but when the farmer went with his produce to the market, the government was unable to provide them the right prices. They made the farmer dream of doubled income. Farmers are in trouble now.”  

Yadav added: “INDIA gathbandhan aur Samajwadi Party ne taye kiya hai ki jab aane waale samay mein jab sarkar banegi, to apne kisanon ko MSP ka kanooni adhikar dilane ka kaam karenge.” 

Yadav launched a series of allegations on the BJP's farming policies and the pricing of several commodities — from a packet of biscuit to motorbikes — consumed by this audience in his speech. The careful selection seemed to aim at aspects related to daily life of rural voters against BJP's mandir, resurgence, and development-centred campaign.     

Also in the fray is former IPS officer Arvind Sen fighting from CPI. He is the son of late veteran leader Mitrasen Yadav and brother of Anand Sen Yadav (SP leader who got 463,544 votes in 2019 against Lallu Singh's 529,021).  

Minutes before a senior member of the team switches on the microphone for the day’s discussion, brain storming and preparations for the next morning, workers go through their notes at a covered meeting space. 

The latch creeks and the grilled door is shut from inside. For the second night in succession, the tone of the meeting suggests that Faizabad’s sitting MP will not leave any room for complacency or any breathing space for errors.

The booth-centred messaging is firm. Questions on numbers fall quickly and answers are relayed in clarity. The feedback is not always flattering. In between, there is a short joke about whether the worker was referring to the booth at his own village or the booth falling in his “sasural” (the home of parents-in-law). The joke is understood and absorbed. 

Party workers told this author that during their interactions with voters, they approach the voters carrying a voter’s sincerity and not so much as party workers. “Sometimes, the interactions are too long because the candidate is Lallu Singh and sometimes too short — all because of the trust people place in him.

"Many times, we are interrupted by voters themselves who tell us about their satisfaction with Lallu Singh ji’s terms and work as MP.

"Others tell us that we do not need to campaign at all and that we must relax because people will turn out in huge numbers to vote for Modi ji and Lallu Singh ji. While we appreciate their assurance, we will not rest until we have ensured a good victory for Lallu Singh ji.”

Workers in Singh’s team told this author: “We are talking to the voter on the development brought by the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, by the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh, and Lallu Singh ji’s work in Ayodhya.

"When we talk about the work done in Ayodhya, people themselves mention the sincerity with which Lallu Singh ji has carried out his duties in ensuring that development reaches Ayodhya.” 

Work done by the BJP-led government in building roads and infrastructure is one of the major points emerging in voter-party worker interaction. 

How often is Ram Mandir mentioned in these interactions? “Ram Mandir to hai hee sabke bhaav aur vichaar mein. Wo sabki prasannata se jhalak jata hai, aur sab Ram Mandir ke baare mein bolte bhi hain.”

Kirtans And A Super Active Mahila Morcha

The Faizabad unit of the BJP and Lallu Singh's team have the great advantage of a uniquely active Mahila Morcha. 

The building of Ram Mandir has enthused the women in the wing to the extent that they are organising kirtans to increase the impact of the door-to-door campaigns — despite the heat. 

Near Hanumangarhi Naka, one such kirtan was held by the Devkali Mandal, one of the four units that women actively contribute to. 

Women members of the BJP from Mathura and other parts of Uttar Pradesh joined the local team. Bhajans dedicated to Hanuman and Ram were sung and dholak and manjiras played. 

Roli Singh, a senior member of the wing shared tips on how to beat negativism during the campaign and shared the formula of “2 plus 2 plus 1”. “No matter what happens during the campaign, you have to take the best of your efforts to the booth. When you step out on the voting day, you will ensure that two families from either side of your home accompany you. That makes it five families including your own.” 

Saloni Vishwakarma, a newly-wed resident of Ayodhya, joined the morcha a month back. She has the developmental achievements of Modi sarkar on her finger tips and runs around for arrangements and interactions on springy feet.

She said: “People we meet are happy with the building of Ram Mandir and the developmental works of Modi ji.” 

"UP ki bhi kya durdasha thhee pehle ki sarkaron mein, wo yeh bhi janti hain. Modi ji, Lallu Singh ji, aur Yogi ji ke kaam ki bahut sarhana hai Ayodhya mein.”

The women’s wing is approaching Muslim women as well in parts of Faizabad. 

For The ‘Milansaar’ Man ‘Who Listens’

Intriguingly, there is an aspect that connects Amethi and Ayodhya in public perception. This aspect is “Rahul Gandhi’s refusal” to participate and be present. 

The absence of the Gandhi parivar from the pran prathishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir held in January, despite an invitation, is mentioned by voters. Though the Samajwadi Party, and not the Congress, is in contest in Faizabad, their being in alliance leads to the mention of Rahul Gandhi by Ayodhya voters.   

Vikas Gupta, a shopkeeper at Hanumangarhi says: “Wo loag khud apne pair par kulhadi maare hain. Ram Mandir ka unko nimantran diya gaya. Wo agar aate kya Hindu ka vote unhe nahin milta? Poore Bharat mein ek party hai – BJP – jo manch par Jai Shri Ram aur Bharat Mata ki Jai ka nara lagati hai. Name any other party that says Jai Shri Ram on the political dais. There is none.” 

He adds that Lallu Singh will lead by a margin of two lakh votes this time. “The entire samaj is with Lallu Singh. He is a leader connected with the ground. He is the kind of man who will turn up at your doorstep if you are a villager and organise a katha at home. He will become part of your celebrations in the village.” 

Vinod Sharma, a hawker, told this author that the BJP-led government at the state and Centre is doing excellent work and there is no room for complaints. “I have been a strong supporter of the BJP since the beginning and now my belief in its work is stronger.

"The government is doing good work in Ayodhya and things have improved greatly. The local administration, too, is working constantly to keep the city clean and organised.” 

Ankit Pandey operates an e-rickshaw. He told this author that not only Hindus but even Muslims feel that Ayodhya at the inset of Faizabad will witness this turn of events and destiny. “We are not alone. Even they are earning well due to Ram Mandir.

Pilgrims now visit temples and ghats they had never heard about or shown an inclination to. The Gopratar Mandir is one of them. “Our lives have witnessed a complete transformation. Why would one not vote for the BJP?” Pandey adds. 

Many of the e-rickshaw drivers in Faizabad are Muslims. Though they admit that their incomes have leaped during the last three months, they refused to comment on the poll.  

Pravir Pratap Singh, a youth voter, is a shopkeeper. He claims to be a huge fan of Lallu Singh. “We have seen him working over the years. He was popular as an MLA. He is even more popular owing to his work as an MP.

"His focus on development instils trust in people. Jitna kaam unhone kiya hai aaj tak kisee neta ne nahin kiya. Karyakaal mein hone ke baad bhi koi kabhi nahin aata thaa, wo har din aate thhe. Backing this factor are the great efforts of Modi ji for the rejuvenation of Ayodhya.” 

Is the Kshatriya Samaj of Ayodhya upset with the BJP or Narendra Modi? Pravir Pratap Singh adds, “I don’t think so. Shayad hee koi Hindu hoga ya Kshatriya hoga jo Ramlalla se bair lega. Aur Ramlalla ko unhone virajmaan kiya hai.” 

Celebration of the Ram Mandir by the Suryavanshi Kshatriya Samaj of Ayodhya has been reported by this author here and here. Lallu Singh was given a warm welcome at villages of Ayodhya by members of the Suryavanshi Kshatriya Samaj during his campaign. 

Ramesh Singh, a BJP supporter told this author: “Wo sab udhar Paschim mein ho raha, yahan poorab mein aur purvanchal mein aisa kuchh nahin hai. Lallu Singh ji ki chaupal bhi hui aur unka achcha swagat bhi hua. Wo achche maton se jeetenge. (All those issues belong to western UP. There is nothing of that sort taking place in Poorvanchal. There were chaupals held in our village and he received a warm welcome. He will win by a good margin.”) 

Keeping up with the momentum of development is one of the main reasons why voters want Lallu Singh to win another term. 

According to locals, from Shringar Haat barrier to Hanumangarhi Mandir, a shed, to protect the pilgrims from heat, is needed. The lack and absence of toilets for pilgrims — beginning from Naya Ghat — particularly for women, is an unfortunate and distressing facet. The absence of toilets from Shringar Haat barrier to Ram Mandir is a strong inconvenience factor. 

The building of Ram Mandir after five centuries has a stamp of development-oriented politics. Because there is now a mandir for Ramlalla, Ayodhya might make Faizabad see the value of Lallu Singh and his fellow MP from Varanasi.   

This report is part of Swarajya's 50 Ground Stories Project - an attempt to throw light on themes and topics that are often overlooked or looked down. You can support this initiative by sponsoring as little as Rs 2,999/-. Click here for more details.