Akhilesh calls bypoll results BJP’s ‘12-year return gift’; Lalan Singh says defeats are part of politics

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav recently called the Assembly byelection results a "12-year return gift" to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to Mr. Yadav, the BJP's losses reflect the party's actual support when elections are conducted fairly. Speaking at Parliament, the SP leader alleged that the BJP had lost due to its alleged use of unfair means in previous bypolls, such as police administration and other manipulative tactics.

He claimed that if the BJP had fought the election like in Kundarki, Rampur or other bypolls, it would not have lost. This defeat, according to Mr. Yadav, showcases the number of votes the BJP receives when elections are free and fair.

However, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, commonly known as Lalan Singh, dismissed Akhilesh Yadav's criticism, asserting that electoral victories and defeats are part of democracy. The Union Minister stated that it is not the first time for any ruling party to lose a byelection, and such outcomes are common in politics. When asked about the emergence of new political formations, Mr. Yadav suggested that the mainstream media should examine itself rather than the political parties.

He stated that the "main street" has moved ahead of the media, and people have reached places where the media could not. Reiterating that the BJP held a fair election, the Union Minister also noted that sweets were being distributed within the BJP despite the bypoll setbacks, questioning the occasion of these celebrations.