Looking at Lok Sabha 2019: Key takeaways from results of byelections

The results of the elections for Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in states across the country have thrown up results that are broadly disappointing for the BJP, and bring cheer to the Opposition. What are the key takeaways from the results? What do they portend for the big battle of 2019?

Uttar Pradesh

Strength of united Oppn, again

Defeats at the Kairana Lok Sabha seat and Noorpur Assembly seat are a setback for the BJP, and another indication that a united Opposition poses a major threat to its dominance of UP. The earlier indication had come in the Lok Sabha byelections in Gorakhpur and Phulpur in March when, too, an alliance of the SP and BSP had defeated the BJP in its strongholds.

The defeat in Kairana indicates unrest among farmers, and anger against the BJP governments in both Lucknow and Delhi. Promises and claims on loan waivers and sugarcane dues have not worked. Thursday’s defeats are a personal blow to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who had campaigned with a battery of cabinet colleagues.