In a dramatic twist of political fate, the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, the epicentre of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) temple politics, has handed victory to the Samajwadi Party (SP), ousting the incumbent BJP candidate in the latest Lok Sabha elections.
ALSO READ: View | A tale of two EM elections
This result has stunned many, considering BJP candidate Lallu Singh's entrenched history as a three-time MP from Faizabad, which includes the globally recognised temple town of Ayodhya.
Lallu Singh, the sitting MP, was defeated by SP candidate Awadhesh Prasad. Lallu Singh, who had previously secured his seat in both 2014 and 2019 during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) significant victories in Uttar Pradesh, seemed invincible.
Yet, the electorate's decision has exposed the fissures in the BJP stronghold, particularly against the backdrop of the grand Ram Temple inauguration earlier this year.
The Caste conundrum
The grand inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 transformed the temple town into a global pilgrimage site. Yet, the electoral battle in Faizabad was far more intricate and deeply entrenched in the region's caste dynamics.
Local journalists and political analysts have pointed out that caste identity played a crucial role in undermining the BJP's dominance, even in the face of strong religious appeal. "Agar dharam ko kuch kaat sakta hai na madam, to vo hao jaati,” remarked a senior journalist in Lucknow, indicating that caste loyalties trumped religious fervor. The BJP's ambitious '400 paar' slogan, which aimed at securing over 400 seats, inadvertently stoked fears of constitutional amendments, particularly among Dalits.
Dalits, who constitute 26% of Faizabad’s population, felt particularly threatened. Communities such as the Rawat, Chamar, and Kori found a champion in Awadhesh Prasad, a seasoned politician and the SP's Dalit face, who has consistently represented the Milkipur assembly constituency of Ayodhya.
The constituency, with a Muslim population nearing 500,000, has long been a focal point for both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Political analysts believe that the SP succeeded in gaining the trust of minority communities, including Muslims and Dalits. Amidst the chants of "jo Ram ko laye hain, hum unko layenge," a significant portion of these minorities decisively turned away from the BJP.
Economic and social backlash
Awadhesh Prasad's victory speech resonated with a promise to rehabilitate those displaced by the BJP's development projects in Ayodhya. "I will get those people rehabilitated, whose houses or shops were demolished by the BJP government. I will work to keep Lord Ram’s dignity intact," he pledged, tapping into the palpable discontent among small business owners and residents who had suffered amid the big face-lift drive.
Earlier this year, our report on Ayodhya’s economic transformation ahead of the Ram Temple inauguration highlighted numerous grievances. Many locals had lost parts of their homes and businesses to the expansive facelift initiatives, such as the construction and widening of Ram Path and Bhakti Path. The compensation, deemed generous by the Ayodhya Development Authority, was criticised by those who felt inadequately remunerated for their losses.
One shopkeeper told me, "Madam, pet to kamai se he bharta hai na," underscoring the economic hardship inflicted by these developments. This sentiment was echoed by the displaced tea and pakora stall owners, who found their new locations in the Ayodhya Haat lacking the customer traffic they once enjoyed by the ghats. Despite their hardships, they remained wary of voicing their discontent on camera.
The Brahmin festival allegation
To many observers, the Ram Mandir festivities appeared to morph into a celebration skewed towards Hindu upper-caste dominance. This perception alienated Dalits and other marginalised groups, who saw their concerns sidelined amidst the grandeur. The SP and Congress capitalised on this sentiment, framing their campaigns around 'saving the constitution,' which resonated as a call to protect Dalit rights and reservations.
Resounding verdict
The BJP's loss in Faizabad, despite the Ram Temple's monumental significance, signals a critical shift in the political landscape. The electorate, comprising significant Dalit and Muslim votes and a disillusioned section of working-class Hindus, delivered a clear and defiant message.
ALSO READ: View | A tale of two EM elections
This result has stunned many, considering BJP candidate Lallu Singh's entrenched history as a three-time MP from Faizabad, which includes the globally recognised temple town of Ayodhya.
Lallu Singh, the sitting MP, was defeated by SP candidate Awadhesh Prasad. Lallu Singh, who had previously secured his seat in both 2014 and 2019 during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) significant victories in Uttar Pradesh, seemed invincible.
Yet, the electorate's decision has exposed the fissures in the BJP stronghold, particularly against the backdrop of the grand Ram Temple inauguration earlier this year.
The Caste conundrum
The grand inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 transformed the temple town into a global pilgrimage site. Yet, the electoral battle in Faizabad was far more intricate and deeply entrenched in the region's caste dynamics.
Local journalists and political analysts have pointed out that caste identity played a crucial role in undermining the BJP's dominance, even in the face of strong religious appeal. "Agar dharam ko kuch kaat sakta hai na madam, to vo hao jaati,” remarked a senior journalist in Lucknow, indicating that caste loyalties trumped religious fervor. The BJP's ambitious '400 paar' slogan, which aimed at securing over 400 seats, inadvertently stoked fears of constitutional amendments, particularly among Dalits.
Dalits, who constitute 26% of Faizabad’s population, felt particularly threatened. Communities such as the Rawat, Chamar, and Kori found a champion in Awadhesh Prasad, a seasoned politician and the SP's Dalit face, who has consistently represented the Milkipur assembly constituency of Ayodhya.
The constituency, with a Muslim population nearing 500,000, has long been a focal point for both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Political analysts believe that the SP succeeded in gaining the trust of minority communities, including Muslims and Dalits. Amidst the chants of "jo Ram ko laye hain, hum unko layenge," a significant portion of these minorities decisively turned away from the BJP.
Economic and social backlash
Awadhesh Prasad's victory speech resonated with a promise to rehabilitate those displaced by the BJP's development projects in Ayodhya. "I will get those people rehabilitated, whose houses or shops were demolished by the BJP government. I will work to keep Lord Ram’s dignity intact," he pledged, tapping into the palpable discontent among small business owners and residents who had suffered amid the big face-lift drive.
Earlier this year, our report on Ayodhya’s economic transformation ahead of the Ram Temple inauguration highlighted numerous grievances. Many locals had lost parts of their homes and businesses to the expansive facelift initiatives, such as the construction and widening of Ram Path and Bhakti Path. The compensation, deemed generous by the Ayodhya Development Authority, was criticised by those who felt inadequately remunerated for their losses.
One shopkeeper told me, "Madam, pet to kamai se he bharta hai na," underscoring the economic hardship inflicted by these developments. This sentiment was echoed by the displaced tea and pakora stall owners, who found their new locations in the Ayodhya Haat lacking the customer traffic they once enjoyed by the ghats. Despite their hardships, they remained wary of voicing their discontent on camera.
The Brahmin festival allegation
To many observers, the Ram Mandir festivities appeared to morph into a celebration skewed towards Hindu upper-caste dominance. This perception alienated Dalits and other marginalised groups, who saw their concerns sidelined amidst the grandeur. The SP and Congress capitalised on this sentiment, framing their campaigns around 'saving the constitution,' which resonated as a call to protect Dalit rights and reservations.
Resounding verdict
The BJP's loss in Faizabad, despite the Ram Temple's monumental significance, signals a critical shift in the political landscape. The electorate, comprising significant Dalit and Muslim votes and a disillusioned section of working-class Hindus, delivered a clear and defiant message.
First Published: Jun 5, 2024 1:57 PM IST
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
