Ramnath Singh Sikarwar: Congress's Ex-Army Candidate For Fatehpur Sikri (Photo on X Ramnath Singh sikarwar @Ramnath_singh_)Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur Sikri is one of the important constituencies in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Allied with the Samajwadi Party (SP), Congress has fielded former soldier Ramnath Singh Sikarwar as its candidate from the seat. Driving national attention, the BJP has pushed ‘Braj region’ claims to mobilise and bank the majority votes in its favour. Polling in the constituency will be conducted in the third phase.
An Ex-military, Ramnath Sikarwar marks his debut in electoral politics in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The 53-year-old retired army man is vying against the sitting BJP MP Raj Kumar Chahar. After his nomination, Ramnath Sikarwar expressed his gratitude to the Congress leadership for giving a ticket to a “former soldier” like him.
During his campaign, the Congress candidate assured that the issues of the smaller shopkeepers would be resolved, accusing the BJP of depriving their rights. He said that everyone would get full rights adding that he was a soldier and could understand the language of discipline.
Notably, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in his recent address at the election campaign rally in Fatehpur Sikri said that after Ayodhya and Kashi, it is time for the Braj region of the state to shine. Braj Region is connected with Lord Krishna, who is believed to have spent his childhood and adolescence in the region. The chief minister was referring to the religious significance of the region while campaigning.
The BJP heavyweight also slammed the opposition parties accusing them of questioning the existence of the Lor Ram and Lord Krishna.
However, the BJP has re-nominated the sitting MP Raj Kumar Chahar from the constituency. Wresting power from the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) in 2014, the saffron party has been representing the constituency to date.
The BJP’s vote share has surprisingly doubled in the 2019 general election, securing approximately 4,95,065 votes majority against the Congress’ Raj Babbar. Raj Babbar trailed behind gaining 1,72,082 votes. The BSP has fielded Ram Niwas Sharma from the seat.
Priyanka Gandhi participated in one of Ramnath Sikarwar’s election rallies, holding a roadshow and asking for votes for the Congress candidate. The Congress hopes it can capture the important constituency with the support given by the SP.