A Congress-Mukt Mahagathbandhan In UP? SP, BSP May Divide Seats Among Themselves

Congress may be on its way out of the Mahagathbandhan election strategies for Uttar Pradesh in 2019 Lok Sabha, Hindi daily Amar Ujala has reported, with Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav having given indications regarding the possible scenario. SP may contest on 35 and Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) on 40 seats. The contest on the remaining seats will be spared for the other parties in the Mahagathbandhan.

Yadav pointed out that his party may even sacrifice two-three seats in order to successfully negotiate with BSP. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) could be granted two-three seats. Interestingly, SP sources indicated that the Mahagathbandhan will not see Congress becoming part of election strategies. Rae Bareli and Amethi, two seats where Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi contest election, could see SP graciously keeping away from the contest.

According to the report, SP and BSP are aware that Congress has lost its sheen and ground in Uttar Pradesh, which was pretty evident in the Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha by-polls, where the grand old party received less than 20,000 votes on its own.  Congress has seen its vote and support among the Dalits, other backward classes and minorities in Uttar Pradesh quickly chipping away.  SP in its big brother like approach could be securing traditional Congress bastions for Congress,  without landing any candidate. BSP could follow SP's steps in this fresh display of harmony.

The report also says that the move may result in a possible consolidation of BJP votes in the state.