UP Mayoral Polls 2017: BJP repeats 2012 Magic

ONI Bureau: Contrary to the claims that Yogi Adityanath gave a big boost to BJP yet again in Uttar Pradesh, the statistics shows that BJP has just repeated its 2012 magic, making it less significant this time in the presence of credible opposition parties, as both Samajwadi Party and BSP are going through the worst phase of their political career.

BJP has swept the civic polls by winning 14 out of 16 Mayor posts. The BSP managed to bag two. Samajwadi Party and Congress drew blank. The victory was celebrated in a grand way to make a big noise ahead of Gujarat Polls and spread the word that PM Modi’s economic reforms were endorsed by the people.

Nobody can deny BJP’s landslide victory, which started in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, materialized further in 2017 assembly polls and continues unabated. But, the victory in Civic Polls was not unprecedented. Municipal Corporations in Uttar Pradesh always voted for the BJP.

In 2012, when Samajwadi Party and BSP were going strong and BJP was trailing at a distant third spot, the party still won 10 out of 12 Mayor posts, leaving the rest to others. And, this time after the Demonetisation and Assembly Polls, both Samajwadi Party and BSP are completely down and out. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati did not campaign in civic polls in UP. Congress finds it tough to cope with the situation. If it was not the best time for the BJP to recreate the magic, when it would be?

In any case, it’s a great victory in Civic Polls for the BJP. It would motivate them to go aggressive across the country, as Uttar Pradesh remains the king among all states in the country.