Hitch-hiking or solo? The road ahead for Rajbhar & Shivpal

LUCKNOW: The Samajwadi Party’s alliance and compromises made for short-term to sail through assembly elections have fallen apart. Since, the time is not politically conducive with Lok Sabha elections still far away, both Shivpal and Om Prakash Rajbhar could be left weighing options before they decide to jump the wagon.
Despite growing signs of Rajbhar warming up to BJP, the SBSP chief and BJP are unlikely to come out in open admitting their love for each other with Lok Sabha elections still around two years from now.

This leaves Rajbhar with either to remain alone or search for options like a tie-up with Mayawati.
However, with Shivpal, the SP’s letter is a direct challenge to show his political strength and that he is still not as free a man as he is claiming. Since he continues to be an SP MLA from Jaswantnagar and that the SP has remained short of removing him from the party.
The only advantage Shivpal has is to keep searching for a better option. Will he try an adjustment in Mayawati’s BSP or will he vet an option with the BJP or remain alone?

Adjustment with Mayawati doesn’t look to be a viable option now as both Mayawati and Shivpal would find it hard to go smoothly with each other’s political commitments and adjustments. But then, in politics, no option is a bad one.
He has another option to join the BJP at a time when Lok Sabha elections are near. But for this, he would have to prove his relevance as the leader of Yadavs, especially in the belt of Etawah, Mainpuri and Firozabad. This option will only work if the BJP is willing to welcome Shivpal with all his loyal workers and leaders who have remained with him even when SP left him.
For that option though, Shivpal has to remain alone and work towards strengthening the PSPL and increase his bargaining power by the time Lok Sabha elections are held.
However, Shivpal will be able to choose any of the above options only if he is willing to face the threat of disqualification from Jaswantnagar seat as SP MLA, if SP chief Akhilesh Yadav doesn’t sack Shivpal from the Samajwadi Party.
Since there will still be three years left for the assembly elections by the time Lok Sabha elections are held, Shivpal more than Rajbhar would be in need to tread his political journey cautiously.