That strategy had paid off handsomely for the BJP. The BJP actively working on the religion angle ahead of the coming assembly election, the opposition is trying to create an atmosphere reminiscent of the 2024 general elections by weaving together a BDM’ (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) vote bank.
Yogi extended a counter-challenge. Still, it was Ayodhya that he picked to challenge the Chief Minister. Accepting the challenge in Balrampur, Yogi retorted by asking Akhilesh Yadav to come forward and contest against him. At a press conference in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav remarked, “What could be better than getting the Chief Minister’s chair without even contesting the election? His hint was that Yogi would not be contesting the assembly elections. When it comes to election, Uttar Pradesh revolves around caste or religion. Development is a distant third. Over the last week, the SP chief has also participated in the Opposition campaign demanding the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.
After Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invoked the “80-20” formula during the Rajya Sabha election, Akhilesh Yadav challenged him to contest from Ayodhya. During his visit to Ayodhya, the Samajwadi Party president had attended a “Bhagwat Katha (religious discourse)” but did not visit the Ram Mandir for darshan. So the BJP is also making efforts to stitch up its own version of the “BDM” coalition.
