Sat Feb 08 10:39:54 UTC 2025: ## BJP Wins Uttar Pradesh By-Election Amidst Opposition Allegations of Fraud

**LUCKNOW, INDIA** – The BJP secured a significant victory in the Milkipur by-election in Uttar Pradesh, prompting accusations of electoral malpractice from the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP). Chandrabhanu Paswan of the BJP defeated Ajeet Prasad of the SP in a contest that saw high-profile campaigning from both sides.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that the BJP misused election machinery to secure the win. While acknowledging the BJP’s success in this single constituency, Yadav asserted that such alleged manipulation would be impossible to replicate across all 403 Assembly segments in the upcoming 2027 state elections. He characterized the BJP’s victory as a “lie” and predicted their celebration would be short-lived due to their perceived guilt and fear of future electoral losses. Yadav further warned that officials implicated in any wrongdoing would eventually face consequences.

The by-election, necessitated by the election of sitting SP MLA Awadhesh Prasad to Parliament, became a focal point after both Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath actively campaigned in the area. Prasad himself, who recently garnered significant attention after winning the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, actively worked to ensure an SP victory.

BJP MP Ravi Kishan celebrated the win, suggesting the result reflected public dissatisfaction with the SP’s handling of the previous MLA.

The SP’s allegations of electoral fraud are likely to intensify political tensions ahead of the 2027 state elections. The BJP has yet to respond directly to these accusations.

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