Opposition yet to firm up strategy

LUCKNOW : A divided opposition appears undecided about giving a joint fight to the BJP even as the nomination process for the by-election to Kairana Lok Sabha and Noorpur assembly seats begins on Wednesday, people familiar with the matter said.

A final decision on the issue is yet to be taken and there are indications that bringing major players together for the by-poll may prove to be a cumbersome task, they said.

The Bahujan Samaj Party’s support to Samajwadi Party candidates in the by-election to Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats had led to the BJP’s defeat in the by-poll. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and SP national president Akhilesh Yadav had already given indications of contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha election in alliance with each other. Yet, the BSP chief’s assertions that her party will not play an active role in Kairana and Noorpur by-poll has put a question mark on possibilities of a joint opposition candidate on the two seats.

The Samajwadi Party leaders, however, remain optimistic and assert that efforts are being made to put up joint candidates for the by-poll. “We are making efforts to bring all the parties together and field joint candidates in the by-poll,” said Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary.

Senior Congress leaders are expected to meet in New Delhi on Wednesday to take a decision about the party’s strategy. Senior party leader Imran Masood has already floated the idea of the joint opposition fielding RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary as its joint candidate from Kairana Lok Sabha seat. “We want the Samajwadi Party to join hands and come out with a joint nominee,” said Masood. “The Congress had won two assembly seats in 2012 and remained second on three assembly seats under Kairana Lok Sabha seat. We still have a strong presence there and the SP should get in touch with the party leadership for a joint fight against the BJP,” said Masood.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Raj Babbar said the party would take a decision on its strategy for the by-poll soon.

UPCC PRESIDENT RAJ BABBAR SAID THE PARTY WOULD TAKE A DECISION ON ITS STRATEGY FOR THE BYPOLL SOON.