Will Yogi’s magic work for BJP in Kaushambi?

ALLAHABAD: Will the visit of BJP’s firebrand leader Yogi Adityanath in Kaushambi district be able to garner support for BJP candidate Santosh Patel contesting from Sirathu bypoll. With no signs of polarization, the party seems to be in a tight spot.
BJP leaders in Kaushambi are claiming of advantage after Adityanath and state BJP president Laxmikant addressed a public meeting at Saini Krishi Maidan recently.However, poor turnout at the meeting had raised question mark over the party’s claim.
Yogi had been appointed as star campaigner for bypolls in the state. But thin crowd had left party leaders in Kaushambi worried.
With hardly three days left for polling, party leadership had pumped its energy in favour of its candidate Santosh Patel, asking workers to reach every household.
Sources said that a section of party workers were unhappy over ticket distribution and did not take interest to collect people for Yogi’s rally. This section of party workers were of view that ticket should be given to a worker or leader whose is well-known among masses so that they would be able to connect with masses easily.
With canvassing ending on September 11, battle for backward, Dalit and upper caste votes is getting fiercer. All major political parties like BJP, SP and even Congress are trying best to win over voters and eying Dalit voters, who are in a sizeable number to decide the fate of all 15 candidates.
Sirathu assembly seat fell vacant after MLA Keshav Prasad Maurya of BJP got elected from Phulpur parliamentary constituency.
BJP leadership is hopeful that a major chunk of scheduled caste and other backward caste vote would give them an edge in the bypoll. Earlier, the area had a good strength of IJP's Udit Raj supporters, who joined BJP after the merger.
Samajwadi Party leaders said that the party is relying on SC, OBC and Muslim combination. The party had never won the seat for last five state assembly elections.
Meanwhile, a BJP leader said: "People have seen the misrule of Samajwadi Party in the state and the weaker sections have high hopes from BJP that it could bring development and progress."
A political expert said: "Sirathu is a stronghold of BSP. During 2012 assembly election, BJP candidate Keshav Prasad Maurya was successful in his endeavor to get Hindu votes and this time, when BSP is not contesting the bypoll, both BJP and SP are trying best to woo SC and OBC voters. There are no signs of polarization which could offer sleepless nights to BJP.”
There are around 3.39 lakh voters, including 1.80 lakh SC voters, who would decide the fate of candidates at 336 booth on the polling day.