The Samajwadi Party has drawn up a fresh election strategy under which some of its senior leaders will move to new constituencies in order to strengthen the party and mobilise support for the candidat
The Samajwadi Party has drawn up a fresh election strategy under which some of its senior leaders will move to new constituencies in order to strengthen the party and mobilise support for the candidates.
According to sources, these leaders may move out of their “safe bastions” in central UP to ensure the party’s victory in newer constituencies.
The presence of top SP leaders in a constituency will also stem factionalism, which has been emerging as a major problem for the party in the upcoming Assembly elections.
“It will not impact the leaders if they move out of their comfort zone but it will make a great difference to the morale of party workers in other constituencies. The presence of a top leader will make a difference to least half a dozen adjoining constituencies,” said a party functionary. For instance, CM Akhilesh Yadav, sources said, was likely to contest the Assembly elections from a seat either in Aurraiyya or in Kannauj.
At present, Mr Yadav is a member of the legislative council but this time, he will be contesting an assembly seat. Similarly, Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav is also said to be ready to move out of his Jaswantnagar seat. Mr Shivpal Yadav, who is also the campaign in charge for UP elections, will probably contest from Etah and his son Aditya Yadav will take over his Jaswantnagar seat. Jaswantnagar was earlier held by Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and is said to be one of the strongest bastions of the Yadav family. The party unit in Etah is plagued by intense factionalism and Mr Shivpal Yadav’s presence will make a difference. Factionalism has already hurt the ruling party in a big way in the recent panchayat elections where it had to grapple with a number of rebel candidates. Some other leaders are also being asked to shift to newer constituencies but most of them are wary of treading on new ground.
The party has already decided to field new candidates in most of the constituencies where the anti-incumbency factor has been compounded by the poor performance of the sitting legislators and ministers.
“We are making an assessment of each seat from different sources because these elections are very crucial for us. In places, where there is resentment against a particular candidate, we will be replacing the candidate. Senior leaders will contest from areas where their presence can help the party improve its tally,” said a senior minister.
