In a significant political development, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and firebrand face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Vinay Katiyar, has set his sights on contesting the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from Ayodhya. This move marks a potential comeback attempt for the 71-year-old former Bajrang Dal president, who has been in political wilderness for several years.
From Political Sidelines to Ayodhya Base
Vinay Katiyar's residences in Lucknow and Ayodhya have recently become hubs of political activity. After a period of relative inactivity, the leader has held a series of meetings with BJP workers and his supporters at his homes. Attendees have included many Sangh Parivar members who were active in the Ram Temple movement before and after the Babri Masjid demolition in the 1990s.
A notable meeting occurred on December 22, 2025, when newly-appointed Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary visited Katiyar at his Lucknow residence. The closed-door meeting, which lasted over two hours, was described as a "courtesy meet." Party sources suggest Chaudhary's visit was part of an effort to galvanize Kurmi community leaders within the party, a group both he and Katiyar belong to.
Following this engagement, Katiyar has made a decisive shift. For the past two weeks, he has moved his operational base entirely to his residence, named "Hindu Dham," in Ayodhya's Ramkot area. This was followed by a visit from Rajya Sabha MP and former state BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai along with local leaders.
The Ayodhya Ambition and Internal Dynamics
After these consultations, Katiyar publicly declared his intention to contest the 2027 Assembly polls from the Ayodhya constituency on a BJP ticket. This would be his first-ever attempt at an Assembly election. When questioned about discussions with the party's top leadership, he stated, "It is for them to decide," indicating the candidacy is not yet formally approved.
The announcement creates an interesting scenario as the Ayodhya seat is currently held by BJP's Ved Prakash Gupta, who has won it twice, including in 2027. Katiyar's re-emergence is seen by many observers as a bid to reclaim political relevance. A local BJP leader noted that Katiyar had been largely absent from party, Bajrang Dal, and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) activities for 7-8 years, even during the peak of the Ram Temple construction.
His sudden re-engagement surprised many supporters. A day before announcing his candidacy, he summoned old associates for a meeting where, over tea, he discussed his return to active politics.
A Legacy Leader Seeking a New Chapter
Vinay Katiyar's political credentials are deeply tied to Ayodhya. He was a founding head of the Bajrang Dal and one of the most prominent and aggressive leaders of the movement to build the Ram Temple. He served as the BJP's Uttar Pradesh president in 2002 and held national positions like general secretary and vice-president.
Electorally, he was a three-term Lok Sabha MP from the Faizabad (Ayodhya) constituency, winning in 1991, 1996, and 1999. He also served two terms in the Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2018. His political graph, however, saw a decline in recent years.
In September 2025, Katiyar stirred controversy by stating that no mosque should be built in Ayodhya and that Muslims should move to districts across the Saryu river. Samajwadi Party's Ayodhya MP, Awadhesh Prasad, criticized these remarks, attributing them to Katiyar's "disappointment and frustration" at being sidelined within the BJP. At the time, even within BJP circles, the statements were viewed as an attempt to grab headlines and stage a comeback.
With the Ram Temple now consecrated and complete, the political landscape of Ayodhya is evolving. Vinay Katiyar's move to stake a claim in its Assembly representation sets the stage for a keenly watched political narrative in the run-up to the 2027 state elections.
