Losing the Ayodhya seat was perceived as a significant setback for the saffron party, especially given the involvement of its top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The BJP, which had coined the slogan 'Jo Ram ko Laye Hain, Hum Unko Layenge' (We will bring back to power those who have brought Lord Rama home) for the Lok Sabha elections, faced its greatest humiliation in Uttar Pradesh when it lost the Ayodhya Lok Sabha seat to its archrival, the Samajwadi Party (SP), by over 48,000 votes.
SP candidate Awadhesh Prasad, who was an MLA from the Milkipur assembly seat within the Ayodhya Lok Sabha constituency, defeated BJP nominee Lallu Singh by 48,104 votes, according to official sources.
The loss of the Ayodhya seat was particularly disheartening for the saffron party, especially as its prominent leaders, including Modi and Adityanath, had not only taken credit for the Ram Temple construction but also suggested that the temple would be demolished if the I.N.D.I.A alliance came to power.
BJP leaders believed that the Ram Temple consecration ceremony on January 22, where Modi consecrated Ram Lala, had swayed public opinion in their favor. They also highlighted the development of the temple town during their tenure.
However, state party leaders acknowledged that the BJP failed to recognize the discontent among the electorate in the constituency towards Lallu Singh, who, many felt, had neglected to stay in touch with the people, relying instead on Modi's influence to secure victory.
Earlier reports from Ayodhya indicated that caste factors would play a crucial role in the election outcome and that the fervor from the Ram Temple consecration ceremony had diminished considerably.
In an attempt to rekindle the momentum from the consecration ceremony, Modi held a roadshow in Ayodhya on May 5.
The SP, mindful of the caste dynamics in Ayodhya, fielded Awadhesh Prasad, who belonged to the 'Pasi' (Dalit) community, which had a significant presence in the constituency. Prasad, a sitting MLA from Milkipur, was known for his clean image and was considered a mass leader.
"The defeat in Ayodhya is really painful... we never expected it," remarked a state BJP leader.
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