Exclusive | Lok Sabha elections 2024: I will keep the BJP on their toes till the end, says Awadhesh Prasad

Awadhesh Prasad has never lost an assembly election in Faizabad

A seasoned member and co-founder of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Awadhesh Prasad is fiercely contesting in Faizabad which is traditionally a stronghold of the BJP and comes under the Ayodhya district. While the BJP is banking on the Ram temple, Prasad is focused on ground realities, addressing the anger of Ayodhya residents over the demolition of their properties without adequate compensation. In an interview with mid-day, Prasad confidently predicts a downfall for the BJP in Ayodhya. He has been MLA nine times and a minister six times. He is the senior-most SP leader and the party is banking on his experience as he has never lost an assembly election in Faizabad.

Excerpts from the interview…

The battle in Ayodhya presents a formidable challenge for the INDIA bloc, given the BJP's significant advantage following the inauguration of the Ram temple. Do you see a different perspective?
The Ram Mandir is not the primary concern of residents of Ayodhya and the Faizabad constituency. Speak to the people and you'll realise that those living in the vicinity of Ram Janmabhoomi feel deceived by the BJP. Their homes have been taken away, their shops demolished, and they haven't received fair compensation. The BJP and its affiliates have encroached upon their land. The people of Ayodhya are determined, and you'll witness the BJP's downfall, starting from Ayodhya. With utmost confidence, I assert my stance. I have served as MLA nine times from this sacred land - seven times from Sohawal and twice from Milkipur. Additionally, I have held ministerial positions six times. The party's continued trust in me is well-founded. Rest assured, I will keep the BJP on their toes until the results are revealed.

The anger over the demolition of houses and shops without fair compensation has persisted since the 2017 assembly elections. It's crucial to examine why this resentment against the BJP in Ayodhya hasn't translated into votes. Do you think the opposition is falling short in persuading the voters, or are there other factors at play?
The reality is quite different. Even in the assembly elections, the people of Faizabad showed significant support for the SP. The BJP won four out of the five assembly seats, some with very narrow margins. Moreover, during the counting process, there was widespread suspicion raised regarding the EVMs. This time, the people are more prepared, and they are determined to hold the BJP accountable for the suffering endured over the past decade.

You mentioned that the Ram Mandir isn't a significant issue in the Ayodhya elections despite the BJP's focus on it. What do you consider to be the key election issue?
The primary issue in this election is safeguarding our constitution, which the BJP is attempting to alter. Unemployment in UP, coupled with the rampant paper leaks in various exams, has greatly affected the youth who have diligently prepared for these tests, only to have their efforts thwarted. The electorate is determined to hold the BJP accountable for these injustices. Additionally, concerns regarding inflation and reservations weigh heavily on the minds of voters. After a decade of deception, the BJP is poised to face the consequences of its actions.

The BJP is saying that it will win 400 seats and there is no question of anyone else winning Faizabad constituency which has Ayodhya as well…
The BJP's detachment from reality is evident in their arrogance. Take for instance the BJP candidate Lallu Singh, hailing from Raipur, a city within Ayodhya. Visit Raipur, and you'll find that 80 per cent of its residents support my candidacy, even in his hometown. This level of support extends throughout the Faizabad constituency, with all communities rallying behind me. In Faizabad, if you speak to 100 people, 80 of them express their support for me as their Member of Parliament. The BJP is undoubtedly apprehensive, particularly in Faizabad, as they realise that losing this seat would unravel their entire facade.

If elected, I assure the people of Ayodhya that we will thoroughly review and address every issue they have faced, including the demolitions, inadequate compensation, and scandals surrounding land near Ram Janmabhumi. Fair compensation will be provided to the residents of Ayodhya, along with the restoration of their land and homes. We will implement improved security arrangements in Ayodhya to alleviate the current inconveniences faced by locals. No longer will residents need passes to access their own homes, nor will they be subjected to unnecessary hurdles or bribery in the name of security.