But since then, there has been a sharp decline in Modi wave which is evident from the fact that the BJP lost in 15 by-elections held in the state during last one year.

The latest defeat in Pharenda by-elections is all the more shocking where the party was placed third behind Congress. It would be worth mentioning here that the main rival party BSP does not contest by-elections as a strategy.

With BSP out of elections, it was considered that it would be direct fight between SP and BJP but the emergence of Congress has unnerved both the parties.

BJP leaders cannot explain as to why party candidates lost twice in the by-elections held in Charkari vidhan sabha constituency which was vacated by high profile Uma Bharti who won Lok Sabha polls. The first by-poll was caused by Uma Bharti going to Lok Sabha from Jhansi and second one was held due to conviction of SP MLA.

BJP candidates who lost in the by-elections have blamed their own party leaders and party MPs for their failure to do much in their constituencies. BJP MPs have been blamed for ignoring their constituencies.

So much so, Ballia MP Bharat Singh openly blamed party ministers at the centre for doing nothing in their constituencies which led to people’s anger with the party and central government.

Political observers feel that while Bharat Singh was courageous who stood in the meeting and said about the plight of party MPs, but majority of MPs and ministers are feeling the same as him but they did not take any stand..

Commenting on BJP’s loss, senior cabinet minister of UP, Shivpal Yadav said that BJP’s lies were responsible for successive loss in by-elections held in UP since Lok Sabha polls.

Shivpal Yadav said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not fulfill even single promise made to the public during Lok Sabha polls and people were upset as party stood exposed.

Shocked by the successive defeats, BJP has now decided to hold district level workshops to prepare cadre to start three month long mass contact programme to connect with people to inform them about good work done by Modi government.

During the campaign, party workers will visit door to door with a booklet on the Modi government achievements. The campaign will be known as Mahasampark Abhiyan and it will also be used to inform people about misdeeds of ruling Samajwadi Party and Congress.

BJP national President Amit Shah will also undertake tour of state and address series of party meetings in next few months. The unnerved BJP leadership is failing to meet the challenge of the rival Samajwadi Party and now suddenly, the saffron camp is facing energised Congress in Uttar Pradesh. (IPA Service)