NEW DELHI: BJP candidate Deepak Patel emerged victorious in the Phulpur by-election held on November 20, defeating SP’s Mujtaba Siddiqui by a narrow margin of 1,000 votes. The closely fought contest initially saw Siddiqui in the lead, but Patel gained momentum and maintained his edge until the final count, securing the seat for the BJP.
Highlighting development and grassroots empowerment, both candidates aimed to appeal to the constituency’s diverse electorate, with particular focus on youth and women voters.
Generating significant regional interest, the by-election outcome was seen as a reflection of broader political sentiments. The initial vote count showed a narrow lead for SP’s Mujtaba Siddiqui. However, BJP’s Deepak Patel quickly overtook and maintained a steady lead, ultimately securing victory by a margin of 1,000 votes.
Deepak Patel, a seasoned politician, has previously represented the Karchana Assembly seat in Prayagraj and has deep ties to the Phulpur constituency. His mother, Keshari Devi Patel, served as an MP from the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat. Despite not being fielded in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Deepak Patel remained active in Phulpur, maintaining strong connections with the electorate and the BJP’s grassroots network.
Mujtaba Siddiqui, the SP candidate, was no stranger to the Phulpur political scene. In the 2022 Assembly elections, he contested from the same seat but lost narrowly to BJP’s Pravin Patel. Undeterred, the SP once again placed its confidence in him for the by-election. Despite his extensive campaign efforts, Siddiqui could not break the BJP’s hold on the constituency.
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The by-election was part of a larger set of polls announced by the Election Commission of India on October 15, which included 48 Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha constituencies.
This victory reinforces the BJP’s dominance in Phulpur, signaling continued support for its agenda in the region. With both parties investing heavily in their campaigns, the result underscores the BJP’s organizational strength and voter confidence, even in a closely contested race