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Journalism of Courage
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was the clear face of the BJP campaign in the Uttar Pradesh local body polls, addressing 50 public meetings in just 13 days over two phases. And Saturday’s results made it clear that the aggressive campaign paid off, with the party sweeping all 17 mayor seats across the state.
The polls were significant across the political spectrum, considering Lok Sabha elections are scheduled next year and each party is trying to perfect its formula for victory.
The CM kept his focus on conveying to the voters how his government had cracked down on criminals and mafiosos, particularly against the backdrop of Atiq Ahmed’s killing.
His attack also centred on the Samajwadi Party and its chief Akhilesh Yadav, who eventually came out to campaign in the last stretch. This is a departure from previous such elections, when Akhilesh has steered clear of campaigning.
Neither BSP chief Mayawati nor Congress’s Priyanka Gandhi came out to campaign, leaving the fight to the local units.
Mayawati had fielded 11 Muslim candidates in the 17 mayoral contests. Having won two out of the 16 seats in 2017, BSP was hoping for a bigger win this time. While the party was not wiped out like in the assembly polls, it stood third.
With not much to lose and having been reduced to about 2% vote share in the last Assembly polls, the Congress was able to give a close fight on some seats, also winning a few in the Nagar Panchayats and Palika Parishads.
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