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Uttar Pradesh emerged as a political stronghold for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after 2014. However, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were not as favorable for the BJP as was expected. The PDA alliance of Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress (Backward, Dalit and Minority) restricted the BJP to just 33 Lok Sabha seats. But by the end of the year, the BJP proved its political hold by winning the assembly by-elections.
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Big blow to BJP
The BJP, which had achieved major success in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, has lost ground to the SP-Congress alliance in 2024. This alliance won 37 seats in the state, leaving the BJP behind by four seats.
The main reason for this defeat for BJP was the widespread influence of the PDA alliance. This strategy was successful in bringing backward people, Dalits and minorities on one platform. However, the performance of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was disappointing, failing to win any seat.
BJP’s return in assembly by-elections
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly by-elections held in November brought relief to the BJP. BJP won seven out of nine seats. These included seats like Muslim-dominated Kundarki and OBC-Dalit dominated Katehari. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described this victory as the result of BJP’s strategy and inspired the workers for better performance in future by mentioning the ‘Kundaraki-Katehari Model’.
Ram temple inauguration and communal tension
One of the biggest events in Uttar Pradesh in 2024 included the grand inauguration of Ram Temple. After the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya, BJP made it a part of its election campaign. However, just a few months later, BJP had to face defeat from SP in Milkipur Assembly by-election, which was a big setback.
In November, violence during a survey of a historic mosque in Sambhal left four dead. The incident fueled communal tension in the state.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s slogan: ‘If we divide, we will be cut’
The slogan given by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ‘Bantenge to Katenge’ became the main part of BJP’s election campaign. It received support from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the slogan became a symbol of Hindu unity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of ‘If we are together we are safe’.
Social incidents: Hathras stampede and Jhansi medical college incident
In July, 121 people died in the Hathras stampede, raising questions on the state administration. At the same time, the death of 10 newborns due to a fire in the neonatal ward of Jhansi Medical College in November shocked the entire country.
Controversial comments and issue of Uniform Civil Code
At a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event in Prayagraj in December, Justice Shekhar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court commented on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and ‘majority’. The opposition strongly criticized this. However, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the VHP supported the justice’s views.
BSP’s fall and Mayawati’s big decision
The year 2024 was very disappointing for Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). After the defeat in the assembly by-elections, Mayawati announced that unless the Election Commission takes concrete steps to stop ‘fake voting’, her party will not participate in the by-elections.
Communal tension in Bahraich and Sultanpur
One person was shot dead in violence during a Durga Puja procession in Bahraich. The accused were killed in a police encounter during a robbery in Sultanpur. The opposition called it a case of caste-based murder, which the government rejected outright.
Summary: Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sad
The year 2024 witnessed political upheavals and social movements for Uttar Pradesh. BJP, SP-Congress alliance and other parties learned from the experience of their respective victories and defeats. This year may prove to give a new direction to the politics of the state in the coming elections.
