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The recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has ignited a fierce political battle, with the Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the incident to deflect attention from alleged electoral malpractice. The violence, which occurred during a survey of a Mughal-era mosque, resulted in the use of tear gas by police and the detention of ten individuals. Yadav's accusations paint a picture of a deliberate attempt to create chaos and suppress discussions regarding irregularities in the recently concluded by-elections. He contends that the timing of the survey, conducted in the morning without adequate preparation, was strategically chosen to disrupt any meaningful discourse on the election results. The SP’s poor performance in the bypolls, securing only two out of nine seats, further fuels Yadav’s allegations of widespread rigging and manipulation.
Yadav’s claims extend beyond the immediate incident in Sambhal. He alleges that the BJP-led government and the administration actively suppressed the SP's participation in the electoral process. He points to the removal of numerous SP booth agents and supporters on polling day, hindering their ability to monitor the voting process and ensure fairness. This alleged suppression, according to Yadav, facilitated the casting of fraudulent votes, influencing the outcome of the by-elections significantly. The former UP chief minister emphasizes the discrepancy between the votes cast and the actual voter turnout, claiming that many votes were cast without the legitimate participation of registered voters. This assertion underscores his concern over the integrity of the electoral system under the BJP's governance. The existence of two types of voting slips – one marked in red and a regular slip – adds another layer to the allegations, suggesting potential manipulation and discrimination against specific voter groups.
The allegations by Haji Rizwan, the SP candidate in the Kundarki assembly bypoll, further bolster Yadav’s claims. Rizwan also alleged that his supporters were actively prevented from voting, echoing the broader pattern of voter suppression described by Yadav. This consistent narrative of interference and manipulation casts a shadow over the BJP’s significant victory in the Kundarki seat, achieved by a margin exceeding 1.45 lakh votes. The narrative presented by Yadav raises serious questions regarding the fairness and transparency of the electoral process in Uttar Pradesh. His call for an impartial investigation, including scrutiny of booth recordings and CCTV footage, highlights the need for a thorough examination of the alleged irregularities to ascertain the accuracy of the SP's claims and restore confidence in the electoral system. The lack of transparency and the subsequent violence in Sambhal, according to the SP, are intertwined, indicative of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and maintain power.
The incident in Sambhal highlights the deep-seated political tensions prevalent in Uttar Pradesh. The controversy surrounding the mosque survey, already a sensitive issue, has been further exacerbated by the allegations of electoral malpractice. This conflation of religious and political issues has the potential to further escalate tensions within the state. The BJP's response to these allegations will be crucial in determining how the situation unfolds. A transparent and thorough investigation is imperative to address the concerns raised by the Samajwadi Party and restore faith in the democratic process. The accusations of voter suppression and electoral manipulation are serious charges, and their dismissal without proper investigation could lead to further unrest and erode public trust in the political system. The coming days will be critical in determining how the situation resolves and whether an independent inquiry will be launched to address the concerns regarding the electoral process and the violence in Sambhal.
Source: Sambhal Violence A BJP Plot To Distract From Poll Rigging: Akhilesh