The Bahujan Samaj Party threatens to play spoilsport for the INDIA bloc candidates in many constituencies of Uttar Pradesh in the first three phases of the elections.
While the Muslim votes are crucial for the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance, BSP chief Mayawati has nominated seven candidates from the community to contest on those seats where the undivided minority votes have the potential to defeat the BJP.
In Saharanpur, Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit, all of which voted in the first phase on Friday, the BSP has fielded Muslim candidates who have the potential to cut into the votes for the INDIA bloc nominees.
For instance, in Rampur, Zeeshan Khan of the BSP may blunt the influence of jailed SP leader Azam Khan. Azam’s undisputed popularity in the constituency and the perception among the Muslim community that he was unnecessarily targeted by the Yogi Adityanth government might help Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, the SP candidate. But Zeeshan’s presence could split the Muslim voters there.
In Amroha, which votes in the second phase on April 26, the BSP’s Muzahid Hussain is fighting against sitting MP Danish Ali of INDIA. Ali had won in 2019 as a BSP candidate with the active support of the SP. But Mayawati eventually removed him from the party. The BJP’s Kunwar Singh Tanwar, who won the seat in 2014, is trying his luck again.
Mayawati has named Shaukat Ali and Abid Ali from Sambhal and Aonla, respectively. The SP-Congress has fielded Zia-ur Rahman Barq from Sambhal and is looking for a candidate in Aonla. Barq is the grandson of Shafiq-ur-Rahman, who had won in 2019 by about 1.74 lakh votes against the BJP’s Pameshwar Lal Saini, who has been asked to contest again. Both seats vote on May 7.
“Mayawati’s decision is an indication that she is trying to harm the INDIA bloc. But this time, the Muslims are adamant about defeating (Narendra) Modi’s party. Muslims will vote only for INDIA,” said SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary.
Mayawati has been nonchalant. The BSP boss was recently quoted by a party leader as saying in a meeting: “I have Scheduled Caste votes and the Muslim candidates must bring their community’s votes. We don’t care if the INDIA bloc loses because of us.”
Uttar Pradesh votes in all seven phases