The Bahujan Samaj Party has unveiled its eagerly anticipated first list for the Lok Sabha elections, showcasing 16 formidable candidates ready to contest in the first and second phases. With a strategic play on Muslim-majority seats, BSP has fielded candidates whose local influence and voter base could turn the tides against both the NDA and the India alliance.
In Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Bagpat, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, BSP's candidates pose a significant threat to the BJP stronghold, whereas the SP alliance could face challenges from Mayawati's picks in Saharanpur, Moradabad, Rampur, Sambhal, Amroha, Aonla, and Pilibhit.
If Muslim voters consolidate behind Mayawati’s candidates, a fierce battle could ensue between them and the BJP—especially since the candidates chosen for these areas bring strong local support and a personal voter base. In this scenario, BSP could emerge as a major player in the final election stages with the powerful Dalit-Muslim alliance.
BSP Could Upend Both SP and BJP Plans
Today, many believe that BSP candidates are poised to cause trouble for both the BJP and the Samajwadi Party. In Kairana, for instance, BSP has nominated Shripal Singh Rana, a respected figure within the Rajput community—a group with substantial demographics and influence in the region.
In Moradabad, the stage is set for a close race as the BSP fields Irfan Saifi, a candidate from a community known for its strong solidarity. There is speculation that if Moradabad's Muslim community rallies behind Saifi, it could spell trouble for the SP. A similar situation arises in Rampur, where BSP’s candidate Zeeshan Khan holds local sway and political influence.
Muslim Candidates Ready to Disrupt SP's Game
Pilibhit's Anis Ahmad, aka Phool Babu, and Aonla's Abid Ali from BSP, represent the Muslim community and are equally respected contenders on a local scale. Their participation could attract significant Muslim votes towards BSP.
Overall, it seems the candidates fielded by BSP could serve as a double-edged sword for the NDA and India block.
BSP Candidates List:
1- Saharanpur- Majid Ali 2- Kairana- Shripal Singh 3- Muzaffarnagar- Dara Singh Prajapati 4- Bijnor- Vijender Singh 5- Nagina (SC)- Surendra Pal Singh 6- Moradabad- Mohammad Irfan Saifi 7- Rampur- Zeeshan Khan 8- Sambhal- Shaukat Ali 9- Amroha- Mujahid Hussain 10- Meerut- Devvrut Tyagi 11- Bagpat- Praveen Bansal 12- Gautam Buddha Nagar- Rajendra Singh Solanki 13- Bulandshahr (SC)- Girish Chandra Jatav 14- Aonla- Abid Ali 15- Pilibhit- Anis Ahmad Khan aka Phool Babu 16- Shahjahanpur (SC)- Dr. Dodram Verma
