Wednesday, June, 03,2026

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Faizabad/Ayodhya: In birthplace of Ram Lalla, BJP, SP battle for poll sweepstakes

Ayodhya: For decades a sleepy town that came into the national spotlight only in the wake of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of 1980, the now infamous Rath Yatra taken out by BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani on October 30, 1990 to push for a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the police firing on Kar Sevaks just two days after, on November 2, 1990, and the subsequent tearing down of the Babri mosque; the Faizabad/Ayodhya Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh has been thrust firmly in the arclights ahead of the fifth phase of polling for the ongoing general elections on May 20.
Polling in the city, which came to be entrenched on the global map and conscious following the 'Pran Pratishtha' or the ceremonial enthronement of Ram Lalla at his birthplace, ending a 500-year exile; is highly anticipated with the sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh pitted against Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party (SP).
While Uttar Pradesh is considered electorally important, accounting for 80 members in the Lok Sabha, the highest of all states; all eyes will be on Faizabad/Ayodhya as it polls in the fifth phase on May 20 along with Amethi, Raebareli, Barabnki, Kesarganj and Lucknow, among other prominent constituencies.
The Faizabad/Ayodhya Lok Sabha constituency comprises five Vidhan Sabha or assembly segments--Ayodhya, Bikapur, Milkipur, Rudauli and Dariyabad (Barabanki).
In a major decision by the Yogi cabinet, a year into his maiden term as chief minister in November 2018, the state government officially renamed the Faizabad district as Ayodhya.
The BJP's Lallu Singh is eyeing a third term from Ayodhya, with the raising of the Ram Mandir on the ruins of the Babri mosque, which is already believed to have touched a chord with millions across the country, his key campaign plank. The issue that has dominated the campaign discourse for the ongoing elections has been commonly raised by the BJP heavyweights, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others.
Apart from Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party, Sachhidanand Pandey of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is also in the fray from Ayodhya.
Though a five-time BJP MLA himself, Lallu Singh is up against a formidable rival in Awadhesh Prasad, who was not elected as a state legislator from Sohawal for no less than seven terms but was also elected twice from the Milkipur assembly segment. He was also formerly a minister in Akhilesh Yadav's cabinet.
In the 2019 elections, Lallu Singh secured a fresh term from the seat as he coasted to a handsome win over his closest rival, Anand Sen Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. The BJP candidate received 529,021 votes, against 463,544 garnered by his Samajwadi rival.
Faizabad/Ayodhya recorded an impressive overall voter turnout of 61.5 per cent in the 2019 elections.
Earlier, in the 2014 general elections, Lallu Singh triumphed over Mitrasen Yadav of the Samajwadi Party by a resounding margin of 1,14,059 votes.
The BJP turned the country's most populous state into a happy hunting ground in the 2014 and 2019 national elections, winning 71 and 64 seats respectively to emerge far ahead of its rivals as the largest single party in Uttar Pradesh.
On May 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, flanked by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, held a mega roadshow in the temple town in favour of the party's candidate.
The roadshow, which was much-anticipated and widely televised, drew a tremendous response with locals turning up in huge numbers and lining both sides of the streets and raising lusty, full-throated chants in favour of PM Modi. The roadshow rolled out from Sugriva Fort and culminated at the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, one of the prominent city landmarks, via the Ram Path. It took more than an hour for PM Modi's open-topped vehicle to cover this two-kilometre stretch as locals flooded the streets, cheering him and CM Yogi along.
Along the entire route, people were spotted chanting slogans in support of PM Modi and Yogi, as both leaders greeted them with broad smiles and folded hands while also waving at them occasionally.
Locals chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' (glory to Lord Ram), which has come to be associated as an electoral war cry for the BJP, as the roadshow snaked along the streets of Ayodhya. Along the route, the sound of conch shells filled the air even as women, who turned out in their best and brightest, were spotted performing 'aarti' for PM Modi and others.
Local artistes also showcased Awadh's culture through dazzling dance performances.
The visit marked PM Modi's third in six months to Ayodhya. Earlier, on December 30, last year, he gifted the city a bouquet of development projects worth thousands of crores. He was back in the city again on January 22, this year, presiding over the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla at his majestic abode. He performed all the rituals around the ceremonial enthronement as the 'Jajman'.
Significantly, in the Ayodhya district alone, development projects worth more than Rs 32,000 crore are under various stages of implementation presently. With the coming of a world-class railway station and an international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki, the city, while being rooted in its tradition and history, is on the way to being at par with the world's best in terms of development.
The Ayodhya dispute had been an emotive issue for decades, mired in a slew of legal suits involving Hindu and Muslim religious groups.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony was held after the first phase of the temple's construction, made possible by a landmark Supreme Court judgement in 2019, settling the decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit.
The Hindu litigants argued that the Babri Mosque was constructed at the site of a temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram. In 1992, the 16th-century mosque was razed by Kar Sevaks.
Earlier, in the 2019 elections, making a mockery of all poll arithmetic of the 'Bua-Bhatija' (BSP-SP) Mahagathbandhan and turning all estimates upside down, the BJP and its ally Apna Dal(S) won 64 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The SP and the BSP had to settle for a combined tally of 15 seats.

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Daily Astro

03-06-2026

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Aries

Ganesha says it will be an important day for you, Aries. Your energy and confidence are ready to take you to new heights. Today you will be able to express your thoughts with clarity, which will increase your communication skills. New opportunities may arise in the working areas, which you have to be ready to take advantage of. In social life, you can make new meetings, which will prove beneficial for you in the future. This day will be good for solving family issues, and you will be able to establish better relations with your close ones. In the field of health, take care of your routine and resort to yoga or meditation to relieve mental stress. Controlling your expenses will be a smart move, as any sudden financial need may arise. Overall, this day is for you to stay positive, just use your insight and energy properly.

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Pisces

Ganesha says it is going to be a positive day for you. Your sensitivity and intuition will flourish today, allowing you to establish better connections between yourself and others. It is time to connect with someone or refresh old memories. Try to communicate with people close to you, as it will strengthen your relationships. In the field of work, your creativity will be cyclical today. If you are working on a project, your ideas will be new and full of innovation. Do not be afraid to share your ideas, it will give you positive feedback from your colleagues. In terms of financial condition, avoid any big investments. Small expenses will prove to be justified but think well before making any big decisions for the long term. In terms of health, focus on a balanced diet and regular exercise. For mental health, practicing meditation or yoga will help keep you stress-free.

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Aquarius

Ganesha says new opportunities are likely to open up for you. You will be in a position to take your creative abilities to new heights. This is the time to share your ideas and make new plans. Your friends and family will support your ideas, so it will be beneficial to take their advice into account. Positive changes are possible in business. This is the right time to work on an important project. You will get an opportunity to use your skills and knowledge properly. But, be careful; in some cases, you will need to control your emotions. In personal life, relationships will deepen. You will try to spend more time with your loved ones. This is a good time for love and companionship. Enjoy emotional moments that will make your relationships stronger. Be health conscious. Dedication to yoga and meditation will give you mental peace. These activities will keep not only your body but also your mind active. Overall, today will be full of possibilities for you. Stay committed to your dreams and work on them.

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Capricorn

Ganesha says your day is full of some new possibilities. You will experience grace and stability in your actions. This is the time to focus on your goals and work with determination to pursue your plans. You are likely to get success in your work, especially if you maintain your hard work and dedication. Positive changes can also be seen in your relationships. You will get a chance to spend time with family and listen to them, which will increase mutual understanding and depth. Focus on communication, as it will make your relationships stronger. However, it is also time to make monthly plans. Take care of your financial matters and try to save. This is the time when you can take concrete steps for your future. Your health condition is likely to remain normal but take some rest. Maintaining a mental balance will be important for you. Stay positive and keep faith in your actions!

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Sagittarius

Ganesha says today will be full of new possibilities and positive energy for you. You will feel a rise in your confidence, which will keep you open to new opportunities. This is the right time to make an important decision. Your spirituality and intuition will be strong, which will enable you to understand and face difficulties. Spending time with friends and family will awaken a sense of happiness and satisfaction in your mind. Relationships with colleagues at work can take a new direction. Cooperation and communication will help solve problems. If you face an obstacle or challenge, remember that you can overcome it. In terms of health, you may need to make a little improvement in your routine. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will give you freshness and energy. Strengthening social relationships and contacting new people will also be beneficial today. This is the time for self-growth and positive change for you, so recognize the energy within you and use it properly.

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Scorpio

Ganesha says today will be full of enthusiasm and energy. You will move towards achieving your goals, and your hard work will pay off. Social life will also be active; you will get a good chance to spend time with friends and family. In terms of health, take a little caution. Focusing on meditation and exercise will help reduce mental stress. This is also a good time to take up a new hobby, which can unleash your creativity. Take wise steps in terms of money. Make informed decisions while investing. For potential financial gains, take a look at past projects again. Your career is showing good signs of progress. Your ideas may be appreciated at the workplace, which will increase your confidence. Still, some issues may require restraint. Overall, today will prove to be positive and auspicious for you. Spend it with pride with your loved ones.

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Libra

Ganesha says today will be a very auspicious and positive day. You will get a chance to clarify your thoughts, which will bring stability to your personal and professional relationships. Your communication skills will increase, and this will open the doors of new possibilities for you. Your creativity and aesthetic sense will be especially strong today. If you are associated with any art or design, your work will be appreciated. This is the right time to express your feelings. If you are confused about a decision, trust your intuition; it will show you the right path. In terms of health, small changes can make your life better. Focus on regular exercise and a balanced diet. In love and relationships, a new understanding will develop, which will strengthen the mutual bond even more. Overall, this day is a sign of positive changes and new beginnings for you. Stay focused on your goals and recognize your inner strengths.

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Virgo

Ganesha says today is a suitable day to highlight your cognitive abilities and business skills. Today, you will be full of clarity and precision in your actions, which will increase your value among your colleagues and superiors. There is a possibility of bringing some changes to your routine, which will bring positive results for you. This is a good time to improve relations with family members. Try to resolve any old disputes, and keep communication open. In terms of health, meditation and yoga will bring mental peace. Also, take some time out of your routine for exercise. From a financial point of view, this is the right time to make a good plan for the right investment. Take a good look at the options available to you and make a wise decision. Overall, today will prove to be a day of new possibilities and positive changes for you. Be full of confidence and stay focused on your goals.

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Leo

Ganesha says today will be a day full of energy and inspiration. Your confidence will increase and your thoughts will come out with clarity. On this day, you will be able to see some new possibilities in your career, which will bring you hard work. Mutual understanding and harmony will increase your relationship, which will create a happy atmosphere among the family. This is a great time to express your thoughts clearly, so do not hesitate to communicate with your partner or friends. It is important to be health conscious, a little exercise and meditation will maintain your mental and physical health. Overall, this day will bring activity and positivity for you, so make the most of all the opportunities!

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Cancer

Ganesha says it will be a day of information and communication for you. Your mind will be full of ideas and you will be able to express your ideas well. There is a possibility of some new opportunities in professional life, which can prove beneficial for you. It is a good time to strengthen relationships with your colleagues, so work together at the workplace. Your emotional state will also be strong. Time spent with family will give you satisfaction. If you have any old problem going on, then the right time is coming to solve it. However, you need to keep your emotions under control, so that you do not get agitated over small things. In terms of health, try to practice yoga and meditation. It will empower you both mentally and physically. Take informed decisions in financial matters; do not rush into any investments. In summary, this day will be all about communication and cooperation, which will lead to positive changes for you.

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Gemini

Ganesha says there will be a new energy and freshness in your thoughts, which will make your personality even more attractive. Social contacts are likely to increase, which will expand your network. You will be inspired to spend blissful time with your friends and family. Some positive changes can also be seen in the business sector. The results of your hard work will gradually start coming, and this will motivate you to move forward. Keep in mind that while sharing your ideology, work with empathy, this will strengthen your relationship with colleagues. It is important to be health conscious. A little attention and relaxation will give you mental freshness. Practicing yoga or meditation will be beneficial for you. This day will be full of positivity and new possibilities for you. Express your mind openly and do not hesitate to adopt new ideas.

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Taurus

Ganesha says it will prove to be a positive day for you, Taurus. You will feel energetic and full of confidence. The time has come to reap the fruits of your hard work and efforts. The workload may stress you for a while, but you will face all the challenges recognizing your strengths. Sweetness will also remain in your relationships. Spending time with your family and friends will be a source of joy for you. Conversation with someone special can give you a new vision and promote mutual understanding. A special occasion may be organized among friends or family, which will bring happiness and harmony to you. Moments spent with loved ones will give you mental peace. It is important to be health conscious. A little exercise or yoga will give peace to your mind and energy to your body. Your day will be full of happiness and positivity, just keep your thoughts and emotions balanced.

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03-06-2026