It's one of several frenetic constructions underway in Ayodhya, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party is seeking reelection by touting Hindu-first politics coupled with economic prosperity. Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Show More Show Less 5 of23 Hindu devotees get their photographs clicked in front of the bricks and blocks which are expected to be used in constructing Ram temple, demanded by millions of Hindus for over 100 years, in Ayodhya, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Feb. Over 150 million people are expected to vote in the state across seven phases starting Thursday before results are declared in March. Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Show More Show Lessģ of23 4 of23 A security man stands guard as laborers build a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu god, Ram, demanded by millions of Hindus for over 100 years in Ayodhya, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Feb. Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Show More Show Less 2 of23 Laborers build a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu god, Ram, demanded by millions of Hindus for over 100 years in Ayodhya, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Feb.
The polls are a referendum on the saffron-robed Adityanath, a poster figure for the Hindu right-wing, who some analysts believe is vying to be the next prime minister.
1 of23 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath prays at a temple in the morning before going to file his nomination papers for the state assembly elections in Gorakhpur, India, Feb.