The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has exhibited remarkable acumen in selecting their candidates, outmaneuvering their rivals for nearly two dozen seats in Uttar Pradesh. Previously accused of being BJP's 'B' team and later engaging in a so-called friendly match with the Samajwadi Party, BSP's current moves have left many predicting a volte-face. The party has released its fifth list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, unveiling 11 new contenders and reinforcing the apprehension among BJP and Samajwadi Party ranks. In this list, the inclusion of Shrikala Singh, the spouse of the former strongman MP Dhananjay Singh from Jaunpur, has notably intensified the contest.
Badaun
will witness a challenging battle as Muslim Khan takes on Samajwadi Party's Aditya Yadav and BJP's Durvijay Singh Shakya. It has become evident that Khan might leverage the dissatisfaction of some SP supporters who were disenchanted by the lack of representation, potentially easing the way for BJP.
Dumariaganj
is shaping up to be a stronghold for BSP, which has placed Muslim representatives as candidates, complicating matters for both BJP's Jagdambika Pal and Congress' Kushal Tiwari. The party's strategic chess moves are becoming increasingly apparent, setting the stage for an excruciating electoral battle.
Jaunpur, Bareilly, Saharanpur
, among others, are embracing a three-cornered contest with BSP candidates fortifying their presence and ruffling the predictable political equations of both BJP and SP. Each district tells a tale of meticulous candidate placement by BSP, aiming to cash in on the underlying currents of caste and dissatisfaction.
Kairana
is seeing a particularly fascinating political skirmish. BSP's bet on a Rajput candidate has caused ripples, challenging the BJP's candidate Pradeep Chaudhary, who belongs to the Gujjar community, and likewise making the playing field tougher for SP's candidate Ikra Hasan.
Moradabad
has emerged as a potential BSP stronghold due to the 'Hasan Factor', while
Rampur
sees a challenging triangle with BSP candidate potentially disrupting Samajwadi Party's dominion.
Etah, Muzaffarnagar
, and
Bijnor
are just a few other areas where BSP's candidate choice has the potential to sway results, either tipping them in their favor or causing a significant upset for their opponents.
Azpande
is eyeing a candidate that could weaken BJP's standing with Bhojpuri film star Nirahua Yadav, while
Chandauli
is bracing for an intensified contest as the BSP throws its hat in the ring with a strong candidate against BJP's behemoth Mahendra Nath Pandey.
Meerut
, with its sizable Muslim and Dalit voter base, is set to become a key battleground where parties vie for dominance, with BSP's candidate potentially dealing a blow to BJP's prospects.
BSP's strategic plays across Uttar Pradesh, from challenging BJP in certain districts to causing a political stir for Samajwadi Party in others, will certainly make for an electrifying election season.
