UP: Why The Tundla By-Poll Is Important For Mayawati’s BSP And Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making all efforts to win and retain the Tundla seat in the by-polls being held in Uttar Pradesh. The last time it had won the seat — also the first time — was in 1996.

In 2017, the party was able to break the trend and win again. Former MP SP Singh Baghel was the party's candidate from Tundla. In 2019, he contested on a ticket from BJP.

In his speech in Tundla, Adityanath mentioned the "paramparagat gundagardee" -- the tradition of crime -- encouraged by BJP's opponents in the state. He accused the opponents of encouraging riots and deteriorating law and order in the state.

He praised the farmers of western Uttar Pradesh and said that they would play a role in making the region and the state prosper.

Tudla is an SC seat and all BJP's opponents --  Congress, SP and BSP -- will try to make it push the party out.

In his rally in Tundla, Adityanath targeted Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party for playing “dirty politics”. He said, “Samajwadi Party has no shame. They are playing with the security of women by giving ticket to a family member of a gang-rape accused who is in jail since last nine months.”

BJP candidate for Tundla is Prempal Dhangar. His opponent is Samajwadi Party candidate Maharaj Singh Dhangar whose son, reportedly, is facing gang rape charges.

Meanwhile, ahead of the by-polls Samajwadi Party leader Kiranpal Singh has joined the BJP. Singh joined the BJP in the presence of Adityanath who was in Bulandshahr for a rally. Known as a close associate of the former Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, Singh’s membership to the new party was marked by Adithanath's presence and the presence of a grand audience.

Days after protests erupted over the alleged gangrape and murder of a Dalit girl in Hathras, following which four persons with alleged link with PFI were arrested, Adityanath did not spare the mention of PFI in his election rally tour.

Adityanath said, “A Congress leader and its former president went to meet a PFI leader in Kerala. Congress has been sympathizing with the organization which has been actively contributing in creating tension in the country (sic).”

Addressing three rallies in Bulandshahr, Amroha and Tundla, Adityanath attacked political leaders for playing caste politics.

He added, “Those who play politics of caste, show them the mirror and tell them that their slogans will not work in western UP. Only BJP’s developmental and nationalism slogans will work.”

Adityanath's election campaign targeted the Congress and Samajwadi Party. He alleged that they play “politics of caste” and “sympathise with rioters”.

Baghel reportedly wanted a ticket for his daughter for the Tundla bypoll. The party gave the ticket to Ghangar. The BJP wants to retain the seat.