Yogi Adityanath to begin campaign from Ayodhya next week

Sources in BJP informed that the CM would address public meetings in the 16 municipal corporations, and some of the nagar panchayats and nagar palikas. (File/Photo)

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will kick off the BJP’s campaign for the upcoming urban local body polls from Ayodhya on November 14. Sources in the government said that the venue was shifted from Muzaffarnagar on Thursday. BJP state spokesperson Chandra Mohan said the “historical” significance of Ayodhya was the reason behind the decision.

However, another BJP leader claimed that the government’s recent Diwali celebration in Ayodhya and declaration of many projects could serve as a launch pad for the polls. “Recent government activities in Ayodhya and frequent visits of the CM to the town have kept the town in the news. Besides resuming Ram Leela, the government has also planned to put up a grand statue of Ram on the banks of the Saryu. Launch of the election campaign from Ayodhya conveys BJP’s Hindutva agenda and also that the party is keen on ensuring victory on the seat,” said a BJP leader.

BJP has fielded RSS-backed Rishkesh Upadhyay for the mayor’s post in Ayodhya. Party candidates for mayor and chairperson of parishad and panchayat, along with those for municipal ward members, will attend the rally.

Apart from Ayodhya, the CM will also address rallies in Gonda and Bahraich districts on the same day. He will go to Kanpur the next day to address another rally. All three districts will go to polls in the first phase of the three-phase polls starting November 22.

Sources in BJP said that the CM would address public meetings in each of the 16 municipal corporations, and some of the nagar panchayats and nagar palikas. Other ministers in the government and senior party leaders, including MPs and MLAs, will campaign in nagar panchayats and palikas. Party candidates in municipal wards have been asked to appeal for votes for the party’s local mayor and candidate for chairpersons of parishad and nagar panchayat.