Earning 200 to 250 Becomes Difficult for E-Rickshaw Drivers in Ayodhya After the Poll Result

The recent Lok Sabha election results in Uttar Pradesh have had unexpected and far-reaching consequences beyond the political arena, significantly affecting the livelihoods of local e-rickshaw drivers in Ayodhya. 

With the BJP's surprising defeat in the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, also known as Ayodhya, the city's local economy, especially for those dependent on tourism and pilgrim visits, has seen a sharp decline.

In the latest elections, the BJP, which had previously held a strong position in Uttar Pradesh, winning 62 seats in 2019, saw its tally reduced to 33 seats. 

This includes a notable defeat in Ayodhya, where the Samajwadi Party candidate, Awadhesh Prasad, triumphed over BJP's Lallu Singh by a margin of over 54,000 votes. 

This result came as a shock, particularly because it followed the inauguration of the much-anticipated Ram Temple just a month prior to the election announcement.

The election outcome has not only been a blow to the BJP's political aspirations but has also disrupted the economic stability of many local businesses in Ayodhya. 

E-rickshaw drivers, who rely heavily on the influx of pilgrims and tourists visiting the city's sacred sites, have been hit particularly hard. 

According to a series of interviews conducted by the news agency ANI, these drivers have witnessed a noticeable drop in their earnings since the election results were declared.

"We've been driving rickshaws here for 10 years, witnessing Ayodhya's beautiful development. However, the BJP government is currently facing difficulties, leading to a decline. The local BJP candidate is to blame because he neither addresses our issues nor meets with us. Ministers frequently visit but don't engage with the common people; they hold rallies and leave without interacting with the poor public," lamented one e-rickshaw driver.

This sentiment is echoed by many drivers who feel abandoned and unsupported. 

They describe how their daily income has plummeted from an average of Rs 500-800 to struggling to make even Rs 200-250 since the announcement of the election results. 

The slowdown in Ayodhya's development, combined with the closure of roads, has further exacerbated their plight. 

The once bustling city now seems eerily quiet, with fewer pilgrims and tourists frequenting its holy sites.

Another driver shared his concerns, stating, "If this situation continues, Ayodhya and other places will face similar problems. 

Our income has significantly dropped. 

Where we used to earn Rs 500-800, now even earning Rs 250 is difficult since the election results were announced on the 4th. 

Within just two days, the situation deteriorated. There used to be many people here."

The drivers' narratives highlight a broader issue of economic instability tied to political outcomes. With fewer visitors, the ripple effect on their income is severe. 

Pilgrims and tourists who used to flock to landmarks like the Ram Mandir and Hanumangarhi are now a rare sight. 

The decrease in foot traffic means fewer rides for the e-rickshaw drivers, directly impacting their daily earnings.

Awadhesh Prasad, the winning Samajwadi Party candidate from Faizabad (Ayodhya), commented on the situation, criticizing the BJP government for focusing on divisive subjects rather than addressing critical issues like inflation and unemployment. 

"BJP govt's subjects were temple, mosque, Hindus, Pakistan...the actual subjects of our country are inflation, that fact that crores of youths are unemployed...7 lakh youths enrolled to be in Police force and worked hard but the exam paper got leaked...time is not far off when the whole BJP would be wiped out of the country," he told ANI.

The current scenario in Ayodhya serves as a stark reminder of how political shifts can have immediate and tangible impacts on local economies. 

As the city grapples with this new reality, the hope is that attention will soon turn to supporting and revitalizing the livelihoods of those most affected by these changes.