Awadhesh Prasad, a Dalit leader who secured the Faizabad general seat, remarked, “Caste did not dominate… Lallu Singh claimed the BJP needed 400 seats to amend the Constitution … People did not appreciate this.” In the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party (SP) significantly outperformed the BJP, with one of the notable victories being in the Faizabad constituency, which includes Ayodhya. Veteran SP MLA Awadhesh Prasad, a founding member of the party, defeated two-time MP Lallu Singh by 54,567 votes. Prasad was the only Dalit candidate to win from a non-reserved constituency in UP.
Prasad’s win is seen as an ideological triumph for the SP and the INDIA bloc, given Ayodhya’s significance to the BJP due to the Ram Temple. Since his victory, Prasad’s residence has been frequented by supporters and well-wishers, some bringing bouquets and others with photos of B R Ambedkar and Mulayam Singh Yadav. In an interview with The Indian Express, Prasad reflects on the importance of his victory, the Ram Temple issue, and becomes emotional recalling his mother, Maina Devi, who passed away while he was imprisoned during the Emergency.
How are you feeling after winning the election?
This isn’t my personal victory; it’s the triumph of the great people of Ayodhya. I am fully committed to fulfilling the hopes and expectations of the people. I will consider it my victory when I have met the promises I made.
What message has your victory sent out?
The BJP has been misleading the country, claiming, “We brought back Ram.” In reality, they deceived the nation in Ram’s name, exploiting his name for business, allowing inflation to soar, creating unemployment, and displacing the poor and farmers. The BJP has tarnished the dignity of Ram, and people have come to understand this clearly.
Will your victory strengthen secularism?
Absolutely. The BJP excels at polarizing Hindus and Muslims and constantly referencing Pakistan. They ignored the youth who remained unemployed. China occupied our land without any discussion. Inflation is rising, yet there is no concern from them.
What was the most important factor in your victory?
SP president Akhilesh Yadav fielded me from a general seat, and I won. This is unprecedented. I’ve contested 11 elections, won nine, and served as a minister six times. In one election, my opponent couldn’t even save his deposit. This election, however, saw the public taking matters into their own hands. Everyone had faith in me, and everyone cooperated. Caste didn’t become an issue. Lallu Singh said the BJP needed 400 seats to change the Constitution, which people did not like.
In such a long and storied political career, do you have any regrets?
My only regret is not being able to see my mother in her last moments. During the Emergency, I was in jail. Her body was kept for five days, but I couldn’t see her one last time. When she visited me in jail, she was very happy and told people I was there for the country. She passed away the same day. Later, when I became the Jail Minister, I met the deputy jailer who had stopped her from meeting me, and I forgave him.
I also missed my father Dukhiram’s funeral because of elections. Chaudhary Charan Singh and Sharad Yadav’s election was happening in Amethi. Charan Singh told me to stay until the elections were over. I was torn between seeing my father for the last time and following Charan Singh’s orders. I chose to follow Charan Singh and only went home after 14 days.
