BJP aims to make inroads as Manipur votes in first phase, UP in the penultimate

The BJP hopes to score big in the penultimate phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and the first phase of the Manipur polls, both of which take place on Saturday.

While the party will face off against the Congress-sp combine and the BSP in 49 constituencies of eastern UP, its main opponent in 38 of Manipur’s 60 assembly seats will be the ruling Congress party. The results of polling in the two states – besides Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa – will be declared on March 11.

Although the SP won 27 of eastern UP’S 49 constituencies in 2012, repeating its performance may turn out to be a tough proposition. The BJP had failed to impress the voters back then, winning just seven seats, but it appears to be more of a challenge spoilsport with the secular combine’s best-laid plans by weaning away Dalit and Muslim votes.

The BSP had bagged seven constituencies in the previous election, down from 25 in 2007, and the Congress won four.

As many as 635 candidates are trying their luck in the sixth phase of the UP elections, spread across Azamgarh, Ballia, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Kushi Nagar, Maharajganj and Mau districts. Among the more controversial ones are BSP candidate Mukhtar Ansari, who was denied parole in a criminal case for contesting the polls from Mau Sadar, and Amanmani Tripathi, who decided to contest from Maharajganj independently being thrown out of the SP .

A number of political turncoats, including Swami Prasad Maurya (BSP to BJP), Ambika Chaudhary (SP to BSP) and Narad Rai (from SP to BSP) are also fighting to retain their elect emerged stronger in the area, with Mukhtar, Ambika and Narad Rai on her side.

Meanwhile, the BJP’S resolve to end 15 years of Congress rule in Manipur will be put to the test in the first phase of the state assembly elections – which will see 38 constituencies polling.

The party, which is keen on expanding its northeast footprint after forming governments in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is the only one to have fielded candidates in all 60 seats.

The 38 seats are spread across three districts dominated by non-tribal Meiteis in the plains, and hill districts where the Kukizomi tribes are in majority.

The elections are being held in the backdrop of a four-month economic blockade by a Naga group, and this is likely to play a vital role in its first phase.

The non-burial of eight people killed during a 2015 tribal movement is also expected to impact