Probable lesson to be learnt by the BJP is that it cannot take the Indian voter for granted and that divisive forces do not work. Its decision to have Yogi Adityanath as the party's star campaigner in UP may have been a mistake.

On September 9, the EC issued a showcause notice to Adityanath following a report wherein the BJP MP was accused of delivering an inflammatory speech and invoking religion in a bid to seek votes in Noida on September 7, in the run-up to the September 13 bypolls.

"Ram Bharat ki astha hai Bharatiya rashtriyata ka prateek hain Aap sabse kehna chahoonga ki Ram ki parampara mein jo log vishwas karte hain, Ram Rajya ki sthapana chahte hain UP mein bhi Aap se anurodh hai ki 13 tareekh ko padne wala ek-ek vote Bhajapa ke paksh mein jaana chahiye (Ram is a symbol of Indian nationality Those who believe in Ram, want Ram Rajya, I urge them to vote for the BJP)," Adityanath was reported to have said.