The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh has devised a winning strategy for the Lok Sabha elections, prioritizing the “winnability factor” above all else, including past commitments and public perception. Despite BSP president Mayawati’s earlier pledge not to field candidates with criminal backgrounds, the party has opted for individuals with such records, along with welcoming turncoats from other parties. This strategy underscores the BSP’s ambition to strengthen its electoral position and emerge as a significant challenger to the BJP in the state.
BulletsIn
- BSP prioritizes candidates’ winnability over all other considerations for Lok Sabha elections.
- Candidates with criminal backgrounds are fielded despite earlier promises not to do so.
- Examples include Vijendra Singh in Bijnor with nine criminal cases, including involvement in the bike bot scam.
- Chaudhary Basheer from Firozabad, known for multiple marriages, received a BSP ticket despite past legal issues.
- Mahendra Yadav from Sitapur, a former BJP member, joins BSP after a controversial video incident.
- Majid Ali from Shahjahanpur, facing six criminal cases, is another BSP candidate.
- BSP embraces turncoats, including Shiv Prasad Yadav from BJP in Mainpuri and Kranti Pandey from Congress in Farrukhabad.
- Some nominations face challenges, like Chhotelal from Congress in Bareilly, whose candidacy was canceled last moment.
- BSP’s candidate in Basti, initially from BJP, was replaced, while in Faizabad, Sachidanand Pandey joins from BJP.
- Historically, BSP has attracted figures with criminal backgrounds, including well-known names like D.P. Yadav, Mukhtar Ansari, and Vikas Dubey.
