The Lok Sabha Elections Results 2024 were announced on Tuesday with the BJP failing to reach the 272 mark needed to prove the majority to form the government. In the Lok Sabha Election Results 2024, the BJP-led NDA bagged 294 seats out of 543 crossing the magical figure of 272 needed to form the government. The Congress-led INDIA alliance also performed relatively well winning 234 seats, 38 less than the majority mark. The Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 turned out to be a disaster for the BJP as the saffron could not reach the majority mark, leaving alone the 'Abki Baar 400 Paar' clarion call of PM Modi. However, what was indeed shocking for not only the BJP but even to opposition parties was that the saffron party could not be in the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency under which Ayodhya comes.
Samajwadi Party's Awdhesh Prasad won the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 from Faizabad by 54,567 votes defeating the BJP's Lallu Singh. BJP's loss in Ayodhya raised many eyebrows that the city not only got Ram Temple but also the Airport, renovated railway stations, and even improved infrastructure and investments from all over India due to its religious significance. Below are the reasons why BJP lost in Ayodhya-
1) Candidate Lallu Singh
BJP fielded Lallu Singh as its candidate from Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency. However, it is said that Lallu Singh's lack of outreach program and interactions with the locals backfired the saffron party. Kalki Ram, President, Ram Dal Trust while talking to a news wire said, "BJP candidate lost due to over-confidence. His 'Jan Sampark Abhiyan' was weak. On the contrary, the campaign of Samajwadi Party was very strong. He thought that he will win on PM Modi's name. He should have gone to the doors of people. The reason of loss is the candidate himself. Estimated 35,000 votes which used to be cast were not cast this time."
Notably, BJP candidate Lallu Singh won back-to-back victories from the same Lok Sabha constituency in the last two general elections. It means it signifies a significant shift in local political dynamics. It is also said that the development work were limited to Ayodhya and not entire Faizabad constituency.
2) Lallu Singh's bizarre remarks for the change in constitution
During one of his rallies, Lallu Singh made a controversial saying to either amend or make a new Constitution, more than two third majority is needed. In response, Rajneesh Singh, BJP media in-charge in Ayodhya district, said, “I don’t understand in what contest he (Lallu Singh) said so as the PM has already said that the Constitution cannot be changed.” It is pertinent to mention here that the INDIA alliance including the SP were fighting Lok Sabha Elections telling people that the BJP wants to change the constitution. Therefore, such remark indeed induced a fear among the people even though they were Hindus or Muslims.
3) Displacement of people living in Ayodhya
It is said that thousands of people were displaced for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. While the government promised that they will be given house, till the elections many people did not get their permanent place to live in. On this, SP-winning candidate Awdhesh Prasad told the media, “I will get those people rehabilitated, whose houses or shops were demolished by the BJP government. I will work to keep Lord Ram’s dignity intact.”