Voting in eight constituencies of UP is set for the first phase. The nomination process has started but the suspense continues over whether Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi will run in UP. Meanwhile, the BJP also faces its own set of challenges, still deliberating on the seats yet to be assigned, including those of Varun Gandhi from Pilibhit and Menaka Gandhi from Sultanpur, which are attracting much attention.
Will Rahul Gandhi contest from Amethi, and will Priyanka Gandhi debut in active politics? Who will be the Congress candidate for Rae Bareli? Will Akhilesh Yadav enter the electoral fray? Could Varun Gandhi and Menaka Gandhi be edged out? The candidacy for the Mainpuri seat and the haze over Ghaziabad remain unresolved.
'Will Varun Gandhi go Independent?'
Each party in India's largest state faces challenges. First, let's understand Varun Gandhi's game plan. The voting in Pilibhit is scheduled for the first phase, but BJP has not finalized Gandhi's name. Sources indicate he could lose his ticket this year. Varun Gandhi's representative has bought four nomination forms, and insiders suggest that Gandhi might run independently if he doesn't secure a BJP ticket. SP's meeting reportedly discussed Varun's potential candidacy. Although Akhilesh initially kept the suspense, he later denied any contact with Varun Gandhi.
'Menaka Gandhi's ticket may be cut'
Insiders suggest that Menaka Gandhi has clarified: finalize Varun's ticket first, then she will consider running. If BJP plans to give a ticket to only one of them, she proposes that Varun should receive it. According to sources, Menaka Gandhi's ticket from Sultanpur could be at risk. Here, rebel SP MLA Manoj Pandey might contend. Moreover, BJP might cut the ticket of the controversy-embroiled Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, possibly placing his wife or son as the new candidate.
'BJP in a Dilemma over 24 Constituencies'
While BJP has announced candidates for 51 seats in UP, decisions for 24 remain. The final calls for Ghaziabad, where General VK Singh has been an MP for two consecutive terms, still provoke speculation.
'No Major Opposition Face Has Emerged Yet'
The opposition still scrambles over the UP seats with no major figures stepping into the electoral ring. Speculations run wild regarding Rae Bareli and Amethi. While Sonia Gandhi chose the Rajya Sabha path, Congress has kept silent regarding Rahul and Priyanka's candidacies. Nominations for UP's eight seats have started, but Congress has yet to release a list. The focus is now on Rae Bareli and Amethi.
'Will Akhilesh Yadav Contest from Kannauj?'
Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav has released four lists but has not clarified whether he will stand for Lok Sabha elections this time, as SP has already announced candidates for its strongholds. There is speculation that Akhilesh might have contested from Azamgarh, but with Dharmendra Yadav announced for the seat, attention shifts to Kannauj, which is currently held by BJP and where Dimple Yadav lost the last election. The big question remains: will Akhilesh challenge a BJP-stronghold?
After all, the game is in UP, the focal point of Indian politics. With BJP targeting 80 seats and key opposition figures maintaining mystery, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown.
The first phase of voting on April 19th will see eight constituencies including Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina (SC), Moradabad, Rampur, and Pilibhit casting their ballots as the political battle gains momentum.
