After its unexpected defeat in the recent Lok Sabha bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, the ruling BJP might be in for fresh trouble in this week’s Rajya Sabha polls on 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh, with a sulking ally keeping its cards close to its chest.
While the BJP has the numbers to send its eight candidates to the Upper House, its ally, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), which has four MLAs in the 403-member U.P. Assembly, holds key to the fate of its ninth nominee.
“...How can I tell you whether we will be voting for the BJP or any other party in the Rajya Sabha elections? We are yet to take a final stand on this,” SBSP chief Omprakash Rajbhar said.
He said his party was not consulted by the BJP before announcing the candidate.
“We are still in alliance with the BJP,” he said, “but did they consult us before finalising their candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections and Lok Sabha bypolls?”
Yogi’s stand
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said the BJP had fielded an extra candidate, as it would be left with 28 additional first preference votes even after ensuring victory of eight of its nominees.
“I see no harm in fielding an extra candidate. We have the maximum number of 28 surplus votes, you will see how nine more votes come to take the score to 37 votes required for victory.”
The polls are scheduled for March 23.
