Since the dates for the seven-phase elections were announced by the Election Commission on January 8, marking the beginning of 56 days of campaigning by political parties in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and BJP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath tops the list of the busiest campaigners of his parties with 209 and 203 rallies/road shows respectively.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, who has emerged as the main rival of the BJP, addressed 117 public meetings and led 14 road shows. Although he held a small number of rallies, he surprised his opponents by drawing huge crowds.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati addressed only 18 public meetings.
The campaign got off to a slow start with the Election Commission banning rallies and road shows in the wake of the third wave. COVID-19 global pandemic. As the number of Covid cases began to drop, leading to the easing of restrictions, the campaign held large rallies and road shows in successive phases with political parties.
The ruling BJP has included several senior political leaders in its campaign, which started with PM Modi. resulted from Narendra Modi Who addressed 27 public meetings and road shows in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who oversaw the BJP’s election preparations, addressed 54 rallies in the state, followed closely by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in 43 rallies. BJP National President JP Nadda also addressed 41 rallies and road shows.
Adityanath, who is seeking a second term, visited all 75 districts on March 5, the last day of campaigning. His deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya addressed 86 rallies. BJP sources said Maurya, being an OBC leader, focused on OBC-dominated constituencies.
Union minister Mahendra Nath Pandey, who represents the Chandauli Lok Sabha seat and is one of the prominent Brahmin faces of the BJP, also addressed a good number of rallies – 34.
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav led his party’s campaign in the state. Most of his rallies were concentrated in Bundelkhand, Central and Eastern regions. Party insiders said he spent more time in these areas as he noticed support for non-Yadav OBCs, as he had forged alliances with smaller parties claiming influence in various backward castes.
SP Patron Mulayam Singh Yadav addressed only two rallies in this election.
RLD chief Jayant Choudhary, who forged an alliance with the SP, focused his campaign in western UP, where his party has influence.
with Congress President Sonia Gandhi Staying away from active campaigning, his daughter and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi addressed 167 rallies and street meetings. He also led 42 road shows and door-to-door outreach campaigns. He also addressed virtually 340 constituencies. his brother and Rahul Gandhi Addressed only two rallies.