The strategic maneuverings of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are becoming increasingly cryptic, evolving into what may seem like an enigma for political analysts. Until the voting phase of the first tier was complete, BSP supremo Mayawati had orchestrated a political climate, compelling observers to surmise that she had crafted a strategy to outsmart BJP candidates. However, as the third phase draws near, the emerging picture suggests that the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidates are also facing an unexpected challenge prepared by the BSP. On Monday, reports emerged that the BSP dropped their candidate Srikala Reddy from Jaunpur, replacing her with the incumbent BSP MP Shyam Singh Yadav. Reddy, notable for being the spouse of influential leader Dhananjay Singh, was reportedly displaced amidst rumors that Singh had withdrawn his candidacy. This change has sparked speculation about the BSP's intentions, especially since they have switched candidates in several other constituencies as well.
BJP's Persistent Adversary
Until recently, the BSP was routinely tagged as BJP's 'B-team,' but the BSP’s electoral play in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections has turned the tables on BJP, making them retrace old defeats. The BSP fielded candidates who have posed serious challenges for BJP nominees, especially in at least a dozen seats in Western UP. With strategic exclusions in regions like Saharanpur, Amroha, and Kannauj, the BSP deliberately avoided reinforcing BJP's position, creating a tough position for BJP candidates in districts including Meerut, Bijnor, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, and Baghpat. A similar pattern was seen in Eastern UP's Ghosi, Chandauli, Basti, and Azamgarh, although the candidate in Azamgarh was later swapped.
Complexity in the Coalition: 23 Muslim Candidates Introduced
BSP's nomination of 23 Muslim candidates, including women, amidst a political climate where the Samajwadi Party has maintained a distance from Muslim candidates, has thrown the Indian Alliance into a state of complexity. Unprecedented in number among the contenders in UP, these nominations include key constituencies such as Kannauj, Budaun, Azamgarh, and Firozabad – strongholds associated with Mulayam Singh Yadav's family, suggesting a tactical infringement on SP's voter base. BSP has also proactively positioned Muslim candidates against high-profile names like PM Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, implying at least partial aid for these opposition members in their respective constituencies.
The Political Equation in Jaunpur
The news on Monday morning of the BSP withdrawing the ticket from Srikala Singh, wife of previous MP Dhananjay Singh, and nominating in her place sitting BSP MP Shyam Singh Yadav has stirred the political calculations in Jaunpur. With nominations closing on Tuesday, Jaunpur stands as a focal point of political interest. Here, the BSP's decision has potential implications for both the BJP and the SP. While on one hand, the BJP's Kripashankar Singh, a prominent figure among Purvanchalis in Mumbai and a recent addition to BJP ranks from Congress, stood to benefit from the ticket withdrawal, the groundwork laid by Dhananjay Singh over the past two decades remains a strong force in the region. Nevertheless, the consistent electoral losses indicate a waning influence on current politics, yet his individual connections render a substantial voting bloc steadfastly loyal. The potential vote division among the Thakur community, had Singh's wife been in the fray, would now seemingly consolidate in favor of BJP's Kripashankar Singh, likely damaging BSP's stance in the process.
