Can BJP repeat 2017 in Kanpur?

Despite the anger over demonetisation, Kanpur voted for the BJP, both in the 2017 Assembly and 2019 Lok Sabha election. This year, the BJP is trying to retain their power and presence in the Manchester of the East.

Kanpur had voted overwhelmingly for the BJP in the 2017 Assembly and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This was, despite the anger over the setbacks as a result of demonetisation. It was then that the BJP had made two of its seven MLAs, who had won from Kanpur’s 10 seats, Cabinet ministers in the Yogi-government.

This time, it is the BJP that is trying to retain power in Kanpur. The Cabinet Minister for Infrastructure and Industrial Development, Satish Mahana, an MLA from Kanpur since 1991, who is trying to win his eighth Assembly election, is the only star campaigner in the Manchester of the East.

On the day of the polling, he was seen worshipping Lord Krishna, also called Kahna by beloved devotees of “Kanhe-pur.”

“The lord has given me many chances to serve the people of Kanpur. It is a blessing to serve the people. This blessing comes only to those fortunate. I often ask myself why does the janta choose me? First it is the political party they trust, second is the candidate and what he/she has done in the 5 year term.”

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Speaking of his opponent fielded by the Samajwadi party from the Maharajpur seat, he said, “He will lose by even more votes than his predecessor.”

When we spoke to voters they said, Fateh Bahadur, the SP candidate will not win from this seat. Why? Because they feel he isn’t strong enough and doesn’t bring anything to persuade the people of Kanpur. Some even said, there is no option in front of Mahana.