It is normal for political activity to peak in a state that is preparing for Assembly elections but in Uttar Pradesh, it is an unusual situation because political parties are not pitted against each o
It is normal for political activity to peak in a state that is preparing for Assembly elections but in Uttar Pradesh, it is an unusual situation because political parties are not pitted against each other — they are fighting battles within their own party.
The ruling Samajwadi Party has suddenly been torn apart by strife within the Yadav clan. The merger and then the demerger with the Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED) has pulled down the “all-is-well” facade that the party had so carefully cultivated in the past four years.
The tussle between chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and senior minister Shivpal Yadav on the QED issue is now on public display and this has led to a vertical split in the party and the government.
The tensions in the first family have put on hold the proposed alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal and also the selection of candidates. The leaders in the family and party and the cadres are thoroughly confused about the situation that is undeniably harming the party that is keen to return to power after the elections.
A senior SP leader downplayed the issue and said, “These are minor differences that will be ironed out in due course.”
Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav has been maintaining a studied silence on the rift and this is adding to the confusion in the party.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which claims to be a frontrunner in the race for the next government, is now hit by a sudden exodus of its top leaders. The exit of Swami Prasad Maurya and R.K. Chaudhary has left the BSP in a state of disarray and despite claims to the contrary, the party leader is showing signs of nervousness by persuading expelled legislators to return to the party fold.
Mr Maurya and Mr Chaudhary, while they were in the BSP, represented the Maurya and Pasi communities. Their leaving the party is sure to cause depletion in OBC and dalit votes for the BSP. Besides, the absence of alternative leadership of these two vote banks in the BSP is an added cause for worry.
Ms Mayawati will have to spend the next few months in setting her house in order, checking the exodus from the party and keeping her voters intact.
“It is now impossible for the BSP leadership to turn the clock back. The BSP betrayed its ideology and now party workers are betraying the leaders,” said Mr Swami Prasad Maurya on Friday.
The BJP, with an aim of “265-plus seats”, is also grappling with factionalism and indiscipline in the party.
The absence of strong leadership at the state level, the clamour for being named as chief ministerial candidates and the growing number of loose cannons in the party are damaging the BJP in UP.
The delay in taking decisions by the BJP leadership is a major factor responsible for the prevailing situation.
The party has failed to boost the morale of party workers and this, on eve of elections, could upset the party’s apple cart for the 2017 polls.
The Congress in Uttar Pradesh is emerging as an amalgamation of problems being faced by other parties. The Congress tussle is a result of differences between party leaders and party strategists.
The Congress high command’s inability to take firm decisions and address issues being raised by party workers has pushed the party into a state inertia.
