There is a realisation in BJP that it would be tough to defeat Akhilesh Yadav that is why entire sangh parivar and all frontal organisations are working in UP to create favourable atmosphere for BJP. There is a intense fight between Samajwadi Party and BJP to woo powerful brahmin community which accounts for 14 per cent of total population in the state.

Working on the perception that brahmins were unhappy with Yogi government, BJP leadership convened meeting of important leaders of community in New Delhi and discussed the issue. A committee was formed with senior brahmin leaders as the members to make plan to reach out to the community.

Former BJP state President Luxmikant Bajpai, who had been sidelined for quite some time, has now been incharge of the committee to bring important brahmin leaders from other parties to BJP.

Significantly enough veteran Congress leader former Minister Satyadeo Tripathi joined BJP recently. BJP is considering the induction of Satyadeo Tripathi very useful for campaign as veretran leader is known as a good speaker. Tripathi belongs to Auraiyya near Itawah and he would be used against Akhilesh Yadav and his party.

Similarly, sitting MLC and old socialist leader Shatrudh Prakash also joined. BJP. Now Shatrudh will not only. campaign in Varanasi but in other parts of state as well.. On the other hand Akhilesh Yadav offered puja before huge statue of Lord Parsuram in the presence of prominent sants and priests called from Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya.

He also inducted important brahmin leaders from BSP and other political parties. The induction of these leaders has consolidated the support of party in community in eastern UP. Those who joined included former MPs and MLAs who commanded tremendous influence in their areas.

The frequent visits of PM Modi, BJP national President JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah speak for the potential challenge they see in Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav.

BJP has realised a mood of anti-incumbency against Yogi Government and sitting MLAs that is why the election is being contested on the face of PM Narendra Modi who is seen very frequently in the name of inauguration of projects in the state. He converted the official programmes into election meetings.

Going by the campaign trend, it is clear that BJP is on slippery wicket as the graph was going down while that of Akhilesh and his party was rising day by day. Now it is to be seen whether Akhilesh Yadav and his party can fill up the gap and grab power. (IPA Service)