Muzaffarnagar, The uproar during voting on Wednesday in the by-election (Meerapur By-Election 2024) on Meerapur assembly seat of Uttar Pradesh caught the attention of the entire state. The incidents of clash and stone pelting between two communities in Kakrauli village not only raised questions on the preparedness of the administration but also sparked a serious debate on the transparency of the democratic process.
What happened in Kakrauli?
There were reports of violence during afternoon voting in Kakrauli village. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidate Mithlesh Pal alleged that fake voting was done by people called from outside. He said, “We have concrete information that some outsiders are staying in madrassas and schools. These people are being used for fake voting. “Especially the voting process is being affected by women wearing burqa.”
The situation worsened when the dispute between the two communities turned violent. After this stone pelting started. The police reached the spot and dispersed the crowd using mild force.
police cleanliness
Giving clarification on the matter, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhishek Singh said, “As soon as information about stone pelting was received, police immediately reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Voting is currently going on peacefully. However, the cause of the incident is being investigated.”
A video going viral on social media further complicated the situation, in which policemen were seen threatening women and showing them pistols. SSP termed it a conspiracy and said, “The miscreants deliberately tried to put pressure on the police by putting the women forward. This video has been made viral with incomplete information.”
#WATCH Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh said – Aadhi Adhuri has been made viral on social media as part of a conspiracy. #videoThe inspector, who was shown threatening the women with a pistol in his hand, had reached the spot with the force to stop the miscreants. As per the strategy, the miscreants retreated. pic.twitter.com/CoQEomHZJi
— News & Features Network (@newsnetmzn) November 20, 2024
flood of political rhetoric
This incident of by-election also started a period of political rhetoric. Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav directly targeting BJP said, “The BJP government is misusing the administration. This election is not an election of democracy, but of the government. Our voters are being stopped, but SP workers are standing firm at every booth.”
Advising his supporters to remain alert, Akhilesh said that if there is a suspicion of any foul play, make a video of it and send it to the Election Commission. He said, “When our government comes, strict action will be taken against such officers.”
In a press conference, Akhilesh Yadav said, “BJP is putting pressure on the administration. Voters are being stopped. BJP wants to win the elections not by votes but by mistakes. Our workers are standing at the booth. BJP is afraid of defeat. SP people are being stopped from voting. Police are stopping people from voting. “Police cannot check ID during voting.” He appealed to his workers that if there is any suspicion of any disturbance then they should make a video from their mobile. Yadav said, “If our government comes, action will be taken against dishonest officials.”
Amidst the uproar, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav wrote on social media platform Information about election irregularities has spread everywhere. The Election Commission has also become alert. Now assurance is being received from the Commission that those who have been stopped from voting should go once again. Do exercise your franchise. Now no disturbance will be allowed. If anyone stops you again, you should complain to the Election Commission officials present there.
AIMIM and RLD made serious allegations
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate Mohammad Arshad said the police were harassing voters and their workers had been detained. He said, “Voting percentage is low in Kakrauli area because the police is not allowing people to come out. It has become a festival not of democracy but of government.”
At the same time, RLD candidate Mithlesh Pal raised questions on the election process and said that fake voting is taking place due to the laxity of the administration. He said, “The police are deliberately ignoring our complaints. “We have accurate information that people from outside the area are being used.”
Activism of Election Commission
Taking cognizance of the incidents, the Election Commission gave instructions to control the situation. The Commission said that those who have been prevented from voting will be given a chance to vote again. The Commission also ensured that the administration worked impartially and there were no irregularities.
Historical importance of Meerapur seat
Meerapur assembly seat has always been important in the politics of western Uttar Pradesh. Elections here are seen as an indicator not only of local issues, but also of state and national politics.
This seat is also important in this by-election because the SP-RLD alliance has made it a prestige issue. Whereas BJP wants to win it in the name of development and law and order. The activism of AIMIM has also made the contest triangular.
Pressure on police and administration?
After the uproar and clashes, the question is arising whether the police and administration are working under political pressure? SP and RLD allege that BJP has used the administration to intimidate voters and stop SP supporters.
impact on voting percentage
Voting percentage has been affected due to the uproar in Kakrauli and surrounding areas. While on one hand SP and AIMIM called it a failure of administration, on the other hand BJP rejected these allegations and said that the opposition is making false allegations due to fear of defeat.
What does the political equation say?
Meerapur by-election is not just a fight for one seat. This is a test of the Jat-Muslim equation and the influence of the BJP in western Uttar Pradesh.
RLD and SP have tried to bring together Jat and Muslim voters, while BJP has made Hindutva and development its base. AIMIM’s growing influence in the region can also affect the election results.
Is this the real face of democracy?
Clashes in Meerapur by-election, allegations of fake voting and political pressure have once again raised the question whether our democratic process is in the right direction?
This development proved that no matter what the political parties say, for the common people this election has become a fight for their rights. Whatever the outcome, it will be interesting to see what direction the by-election results take in western Uttar Pradesh and the state’s politics.
The uproar and allegations and counter-allegations in Meerapur by-election clearly shows that the election process is still far from transparency in the politics of Uttar Pradesh. Political pressure and external interference on the police and administration have weakened voter confidence. It will be interesting to see where the outcome of this by-election goes and what direction these events will take the politics of the state.
