Lucknow: The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has been trying to position itself as a viable alternative to the Bahujan Samaj Party in western Uttar Pradesh, particularly for Muslim and Jat voters. The RLD faces the burden of having allied with the BJP in the past and Muslims are sceptical of the RLD’s secular credentials. It was this that prompted the party to look for an alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

“We did support an alliance with the Samajwadi Party because we wanted to build up a secular front. We are aware that SP is not on firm footing in west UP and Muslims are angry with SP but the party has no history of hobnobbing with BJP. The Samajwadi leaders, however, are over-confident of the abilities and popularity, and want every decision on their terms,” said an RLD MLA.

A section of the RLD feels that an alliance with the Congress will be better because the Congress is more acceptable to Muslims than SP or BSP.

“The BSP is a strong force but Muslims feel that Mayawati can again form government with BJP’s support because she has done it thrice in the past. However, the Congress must put up strong candidates to get the Muslim votes or else the BSP will be the best choice in the absence of an option,” said the MLA.

The Muslim concentration of population in west UP is about 26 per cent — higher than the rest of the state — and after Muzaffarnagar riots, the community is highly polarised against the BJP.

The RLD leaders, while trying to win over Muslims in west UP, have also been making concerted efforts to regain lost ground among Jats.

Former RLD MP Jayant Chaudhary has been holding small meetings in every village, meeting local Khap leaders and explaining the party’s position to them.

Jats, who had gone with the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, are now upset with the Modi government over the reservation issue. Jats leaders in Haryana have already asked their community not to vote for the BJP.

Besides, there is sympathy for Mr Ajit Singh after the Modi government turned down his request for a memorial for his father, late Chaudhary Charan Singh, and got his bungalow vacated.

“The Jat leaders in the BJP, including union minister Sanjeev Baliyan and Satyapal Singh, have limited areas of influence and Jats could be in a mood to forgive the RLD. If that happens Mr Ajit Singh may see an upswing in his party’s fortunes,” said Prof. Devrat Tyagi, a faculty member at Meerut University. Jats constitute about 17 per cent of the population in West UP and play a deciding factor in about 40 Assembly seats in the region.