Following significant gains by the INDIA bloc against the BJP in Uttar Pradesh’s recent Lok Sabha elections, attention now turns to by-elections for 10 vacant assembly seats. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, unified under the INDIA banner, are poised to contest jointly, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) prepares to regain lost ground. Vacancies arose after nine assembly members, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, won Lok Sabha seats, and one MLA was disqualified. The results, though not altering the BJP’s assembly majority, hold symbolic importance, influencing political morale and momentum in the state.