The final day for the first phase of Lok Sabha nominations is today, ending at 3 PM. Before the deadline, confusion and tension over ticket distribution within the Socialist Party in UP have intensified. In Moradabad, the party replaced candidates within 24 hours amidst uncertainty. Initially, ST Hasan filed for nomination on Monday. The following day, Ruchi Veera also submitted her nomination papers. Meanwhile, the party has declared Delhi's Maulana Moheebullah Nadvi as a candidate in Rampur. The local district president has also bought the nomination form, setting up a face-off within the party in both Moradabad and Rampur. There's also buzz about a possible replacement in Meerut.
Poll season often witnesses ticket disputes across parties. While negotiations and appeasements are commonplace, this year's elections have seen internal ticket battles flare up within UP's Socialist Party. Particularly in Rampur and Moradabad, party factions have taken their fight to the streets. On the final day, an Imam from Delhi was summoned for Rampur's nomination, and a chartered plane was sent from Lucknow to Moradabad for the same. Meanwhile, Shivpal Singh Yadav was dispatched to Sitapur jail to mollify the disgruntled Azam Khan. Amidst all this, news has emerged that Rampur's Socialist Party district president Asim Raja has also purchased a nomination form.
'Dramatic turn of events in Moradabad's political landscape'
The Socialist Party in Moradabad has split. Agitated workers burned the effigy of Ruchi Veera, chanting for her departure following the cancellation of ST Hasan's ticket. In no time, Moradabad's atmosphere shifted. Veera is considered an ally of Azam Khan. When ST Hasan was addressing the media after his nomination, rumours had already begun to swirl that, despite filing his papers, his candidacy was in jeopardy.
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'Factionalism reigns within the Socialist Party in Moradabad'
ST Hasan moved forward dismissing rumours about his replacement, Ruchi Veera, as gossip. However, hours later, Veera announced in an interview with Aaj Tak that the party leadership has granted her the symbol to contest from Moradabad and that she will be filing her nomination today. Following this revelation, Hasan's supporters took to the streets to protest. Slogans were raised, and effigies were burned. Veera claimed this decision might have been made due to fear of anti-incumbency against Hasan. On Tuesday, although the party instructed Veera to halt her nomination, she went ahead and filed her papers anyway, stating time constraints demanded swift action.
This means the Socialist Party is now divided in Moradabad just before the completion of nominations. The interesting part is that the party hasn't officially clarified the situation.
Also noteworthy: The Socialist Party cancels ST Hasan's ticket from Moradabad; now focuses on Rampur. Will Akhilesh win over the disgruntled Azam Khan?
'Announcement of Maulana Nadvi as a candidate in Rampur?'
After much struggle, the Socialist Party has finally declared its candidate in Rampur. Maulana Moheebullah Nadvi from Delhi's Parliament Street Jama Masjid will be running. Originally from Rajanagar in Rampur, Nadvi has already filed his nomination. Meanwhile, Azam Khan's supporters in the Rampur district have called for an election boycott. They have urged Akhilesh Yadav to contest from Rampur. The party leader Asim Raja has also secured an application, exacerbating tensions within the party. Efforts are being made to appease Khan's supporters, with Shivpal Yadav set to engage with Khan in Sitapur.
'Chartered plane carries authorized letters?'
In the midst of confusion and uncertainty, sources within the Socialist Party reveal that a chartered plane has been booked from Lucknow. It's meant to deliver the authorized letters containing the names of candidates for Moradabad and Rampur and ensure timely submission of nomination papers.
Also read: The suspense remains over the Socialist Party candidate for the Rampur Lok Sabha seat. Now, discussions buzz around Tej Pratap Yadav's candidacy
Consensus on Meerut candidate still elusive?
In Meerut, there's speculation that the Socialist Party's declared candidate, Bhanu Pratap Singh, isn't garnering local support. As a result, prominent leaders and representatives had initially distanced themselves from the general elections. Considering the discontentment among leaders, party authorities have summoned them to Lucknow. Party workers insist on nominating a local leader. Speculation is rife that a major decision regarding the Meerut seat is imminent.
