Why Faizabad was lost Despite Ram Temple –by Anupam Srivastava

Why Faizabad was lost Despite Ram Temple –by Anupam Srivastava 

Despite coming up of Ram Temple Bharatiya Janata Party Candidate Lallu Singh  lost the seat of Ayodhya to Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Awadhesh Prasad by a margin of 54,567 votes.  

It was a matter of  BJP losing it rather than Samajwadi party winning it. Lallu Singhs statement about Changing the constitution , brought him limelight but ensured that he lost the support of Dalits who are emotionally wedded to the constitution because it is written by none other than their icon Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.  

Lallu Singh's controversial remarks about changing the Indian Constitution were so  damaging that they alienated a substantial segment of Dalit voters who hold the Constitution in high regard, especially since it was drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a revered figure amongst the Dalits. This statement resulted in loss of all seats for BJP in entire Faizabad division. 

The statements which are made without usinmg grey matter may jolt you with results like this.   

The victory of Samajwadi party is particularly significant given the fact that the temple's consecration did not translate into electoral success BJP. Residents of Ayodhya, demonstrated that despite delivering the promises if you are not polite then people are ready to discard you. Sandeep Singh a local businessman said , “ We have changed the man, who wanted to change the constitution. You can see arrogance will not be tolerated , the BJP never bothered to chek when officials of district administration were treating the common shopkeepers badly, when they  cited their economic hardships and displacement caused by the temple's construction. They could have been dealt politely and in a better way.” 

During the BJP regime the bureaucracy has gone berserk. Now people are in no mood to let it go. Now after taking 10 years of arrogance they have decided to punish the officials by displacing BJP with SP. Just remember people are in no mood to forgive corrupt and arrogant officials. 

Its  only the second time the SP has won the Faizabad seat, with the last win was in 1998 by Mitrasen Yadav.  

Another key factor in this victory was the strategic slogan "Na Mathura na Kashi, Abki Baar Awadhesh Pasi," which resonated deeply not only with the Dalit community in Faizabad but also got the support of other upper caste and Muslims. This move by Akhilesh Yadav was seen as a masterstroke, as it consolidated votes from Dalits, other backward classes, and the traditional Yadav-Muslim vote bank, ensuring Prasad's success. 

Additionally, anti-incumbency sentiment against Lallu Singh significantly influenced the election outcome. 

Many voters felt that Singh's work primarily benefited outsiders rather than the local population. His controversial statements about altering the Constitution further alienated voters. Dalit voter Ram Sumer remarked, "Singh's work benefited outsiders more than the local populace, and his controversial statements about changing the Constitution alienated many voters." 

This electoral setback may serves as a wake-up call for the BJP, highlighting the need for humility and sensitivity in governance. The officials must recognize that they are public servants, not benefactors, and must treat residents with respect and consideration. Singh's defeat not only disrupts the BJP's dominance in the region but also suggests a potential shift in the political dynamics of Ayodhya and Faizabad. 

This landmark win underscores the opposition's ability to mobilize diverse voter groups and demonstrates the significance of strategic candidate selection and community engagement in Indian electoral politics. It highlights the importance of maintaining a respectful and inclusive approach towards all sections of society, a lesson the BJP will need to heed as it navigates future electoral challenges. 

 

For political students  the Ayodhya election serves as a poignant reminder that even the most celebrated achievements can be rendered moot by a lack of sensitivity and respect for the electorate. The SP's victory is a testament to the power of strategic political maneuvering and the electorate's desire for leaders who genuinely understand and address their concerns. 

Besides proving that development alone can't guarantee success in elections, this result highlights the critical importance of choice of words and behavior when addressing gatherings. It demonstrates that arrogance and insensitive remarks can alienate voters, even in the face of significant achievements. Additionally, it underscores the necessity of controlling the bureaucracy and ensuring that officials treat the public with respect and empathy. Failure to do so can lead to significant electoral setbacks, as seen in the recent Ayodhya election, where Lallu Singh's missteps overshadowed the BJP's accomplishments and paved the way for the SP's victory.