Apprehensions of cross-voting in the upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections on June 11 have set alarm bells ringing in all major political parties in Uttar Pradesh.
Apprehensions of cross-voting in the upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections on June 11 have set alarm bells ringing in all major political parties in Uttar Pradesh.
Fearing the same, the ruling Samajwadi Party on Monday night broke its unwritten rule as party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and senior minister Shivpal Yadav went to the residence of independent minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh a.k.a. Raja Bhaiyya for deliberations.
In the Yadav clan, it is said that only one member attends functions outside the family but in a rare departure, three senior family members came together to enlist the support of Raja Bhaiyya and his legislators.
Though Raja’s aides hastened to add that the dinner was a part of his twin sons’ birthday celebrations, sources say that the meeting was actually convened to discuss the Rajya Sabha polls amidst reports that the minister and his supporters were inching closer to the BJP after being “shabbily treated by the SP”. About two dozen SP MLAs were also present at the meeting.
Raja Bhaiyya, a five-term MLA, wields considerable influence over at least a dozen SP MLAs and he is said to be sulking since the past two years when he was accused in the murder of a DSP in Pratapgarh and asked to resign.
Though he was later reinstated after being given a clean chit by the CBI, he was not given back his favourite portfolio – jail. Last October, his food and civil supplies portfolio was also taken away and he had to remain content with an insignificant portfolio stamp and registration. Raja Bhaiyya is also believed to be upset with the return of Amar Singh in the Samajwadi Party.
The BJP, on the other hand, is also struggling to keep its flock together. The party has extended support to an independent candidate Preeti Mahapatra with only seven surplus votes in hand.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh will be camping in Lucknow from June 9 to ensure a smooth victory for the party in Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad elections.
Mr Singh’s presence in Lucknow is also said to be important as he can help the BJP in getting votes from other parties as well. “Some legislators from other parties would like to meet him before they vote in BJP’s favour,” said a source.
BSP president Mayawati has convened a meeting with her legislators on June 9 to inform them of her strategy for the Rajya Sabha elections. Ms Mayawati is likely to allot her surplus votes to Congress candidate Kapil Sibal. The Congress may reciprocate by giving its second preference votes to the BSP’s third candidate in the Vidhan Parishad. The BSP does not have adequate numbers for its third candidate.
