Lucknow, June 25 -- The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has reopened its doors to Jitendra Singh Babloo, an accused in the 2009 Rita Bahuguna Joshi residence arson case, after nearly 14 years, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest in Ayodhya district in the assembly election where local strongmen are likely to play a role.

The BSP move has also added a new dimension to the region's already charged electoral equations, especially as the BJP works to regain its hold in the district after losing the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat to the Samajwadi Party in 2024.

While the SP is trying to challenge the BJP with its PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankyak) formula, the rebellion of SP MLA Abhay Singh (Goshainganj), a known local strongman, is likely to add a...