Rajnath Singh to fight Lok Sabha poll from Noida seat

New Delhi: The SP-BSP-RLD alliance could force the BJP to change the parliamentary seats of some of its heavyweights to overpass the electoral tides in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh. Speculation is rife that Union home minister Rajnath Singh could be asked to contest from Gautambuddh Nagar seat, currently represented by Union culture minister Mahesh Sharma .

The latter could be shifted to Alwar in Rajasthan as the caste arithmetic of the BJP in Gautambuddh Nagar has been disturbed by the SP-BSP-RLD alliance.

Sources disclosed that Mr Singh, who represents the prestigious Lucknow seat, has bettered the BJP’s position in his parliamentary constituency because of the development works undertaken by him and the party can easily tide over the opposition in this constituency. UP is one of the important states, where the BJP is likely to change more than 40 percent of its sitting MPs.  

The BJP is abuzz that actor-turned-politician and Mathura MP Hema Malini could contest from Fatehpur Sikri as there is a major anti-incumbency against sitting MP Chowdhary Babulal.

Though Ms Malini, it was learnt, is not in favour of shifting her parliamentary seat, the party leadership is trying to convince her.  

Another parliamentary seat in the state that could see a change is Unnao, currently held by controversial leader Sakshi Maharaj. Specul-ation is rife that Union minister Uma Bharti could be asked to contest from here, though she had announced last year that she will not contest the Lok Sabha polls. Ms Bharti represents Jhansi parliamentary seat.

The first meeting of the BJP central election committee could meet on March 16, followed by two other meetings next week before Holi.