New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh, India’s most politically significant state, played host to a riveting electoral battle as it contributed 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. The contest between the ruling NDA and the formidable opposition INDIA bloc, spearheaded by the Samajwadi Party and Congress, unfolded with high stakes on Tuesday.
Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resounding victory in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for the third consecutive term, the NDA encountered an unforeseen setback in Uttar Pradesh, a stronghold for the BJP in the preceding two general elections.Adding to the intrigue, the BJP faced a shocking defeat in Ayodhya, further amplifying the significance of these election results.
The Election Commission’s latest data revealed that the BJP secured 33 seats, complemented by three victories by its allies (the Rashtriya Lok Dal triumphed in two constituencies, while Apna Dal (Soneylal) emerged victorious in one). In contrast, the INDIA bloc orchestrated a stunning resurgence, clinching victory in 43 seats.
Notably, the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party secured 37 seats, while Congress emerged victorious in six Lok Sabha constituencies. Additionally, Chandrashekhar of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) celebrated triumph in the Nagina seat.
However, amidst the electoral fervor, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) failed to secure any seats, resulting in zero representation in the 2024 elections.
The electoral landscape witnessed intense competition as the Samajwadi Party contested 62 seats and Congress fought for 17. The BJP maintained its alliance with Apna Dal (Sonelal) and welcomed Jayant Chaudhary’s RLD and OP Rajbhar’s Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party into the NDA coalition.
Reflecting on the outcomes, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections saw the BJP single-handedly securing 62 out of the 80 seats, while the BSP and Samajwadi Party, then allies, clinched 10 and five seats, respectively. Furthermore, the Congress secured one seat in the 2019 elections, contributing to the complex political tapestry of Uttar Pradesh.
