Milkipur bypoll: SP leader accuses BJP of poll interference

SP Member of Parliament claims

Amid the ongoing bypoll in the Milkipur assembly constituency, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Wednesday accused the BJP of "influencing" the election. "Praying is a matter of my faith, it has always been a part of my life. Meanwhile, the SP MP has alleged that the BJP has constantly tried to influence the election here. Polling is going on since 7 am today and I have received information that our party workers are being chased away from polling booths

By-election after Awadhesh Prasad vacates seat

Earlier, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad offered prayers at his residence for the Milkipur Assembly bypoll. Polling for the by-election to the Milkipur by-election in Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh began on Wednesday morning. After the crushing defeat in Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, the BJP wants to take revenge in Milkipur, an important assembly constituency of Faizabad. This by-election has become a battle of prestige for the BJP. The party is urging voters to "avenge the defeat". The bypoll was necessitated after Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad vacated the seat after winning the Lok Sabha election from Faizabad (Ayodhya) last year. The BJP is determined to regain this seat, not just to save its prestige but also to strengthen its influence in the region.

The contest has become a test of strength between the BJP and the SP, with both parties trying their best to win. As many as 370,829 voters of the Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved constituency will decide the fate of the candidates in the electoral fray, while the main contest is expected to be between Samajwadi Party's Ajit Prasad and BJP's Chandrabhanu Paswan. Ayodhya Range IG Praveen Kumar said polling was going on peacefully and police officials were patrolling the area.