Parishad election next battle for joint oppn, BJP

LUCKNOW Another battle stares the joint opposition in the face after the biennial election to 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh.

The forthcoming biennial election to 13 Vidhan Parishad seats, 12 of them falling vacant on May 5, may give a second opportunity to the opposition to put up a joint front in the biennial poll. One seat is already vacant.

If the BJP decides to field a 12th candidate for the 13 seats, the Vidhan Parishad polls may see a replay of the high drama witnessed in the battle between the ruling BJP alliance and the joint opposition for the 10th seat in the Rajya Sabha elections.

“The Election Commission is yet to make an announcement about the biennial election. We will take a strategic decision at the appropriate time,” said UP BJP general secretary Vijay Pathak. The MLCs will be elected by the state assembly members.

A close scrutiny of prevailing position of different political parties in the 402 member house (against strength of 403 members) indicates that the BJP and allies with 324 MLAs will win 11 seats for sure and have a few extra votes. As the BJP candidates got only four extra votes in the Rajya Sabha, the BJP may have to work harder to mobilise sufficient extra votes for the 12th candidate.

The Samajwadi Party with 47 members (46 minus Nitin Agarwal, who has switched over to the BJP) will surely get one seat and need extra votes for its second candidate. The BSP with 19 members (18 minus Anil Singh who voted for BJP in Rajya Sabha polls) will also need extra votes if

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the party decides to field a candidate. The BJP’s 12th candidate for the 13th seat may, however, upset the opposition’s applecart as the move may trigger cross-voting in opposition ranks.

Instead of fielding its 12th candidate, the BJP may also support an independent. Under such circumstances, the role of the Congress with seven members becomes crucial. Congress Legislature Party leader Ajay Kumar Lallu said, “The Congress high command decided to support BSP nominee in Rajya Sabha polls. We will act as per the decision of high command in Vidhan Parishad polls too.” .

Samajwadi Party leader Rajendra Chaudhary said the BSP is likely to support the SP’s additional nominee in the Vidhan Parishad election and the opposition has surplus votes for the 13th seat.

“So, there is no question of a repeat of the Rajya Sabha election scenario,” he said.