TICKETS FOR MAURYA AND VARUN GANDHI FROM SP?

'

In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming elections, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday hinted at offering a ticket to former party member Swami Prasad Maurya and also suggested the possibility of granting a ticket to sitting BJP MP from Pilibhit Varun Gandhi.

In an informal chat with reporters Yadav eschewed from giving a clear response when asked about the possibility of giving Maurya a ticket. He countered whether Maurya had truly severed ties with the SP. When pressed about whether Maurya's resignation had been accepted, Yadav said, "Our committee must be considering it. I am not aware of this."

Maurya's recently softened stance towards Yadav, expressing no grievances, has further fueled speculation about his return to the party fold. Maurya had resigned from the Samajwadi Party last month and formed his party called Rashtriya Shshit Samaj Party (RSSP). Yadav had insinuated governmental interference and had said that party members and workers were leaving the party under the influence of external pressures.

Yadav hinted at offering

Varun Gandhi a ticket in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. There were speculations that the BJP may not give Gandhi a ticket due to his statements against the government and Prime Minister Modi’s policies during the farmers’ agitation. The BJP’s decision to not declare a candidate from Pilibhit has added fuel to the speculation. Pilibhit is among the eight constituencies in UP where polling is scheduled to take place in the first phase on April 20. The nominations are set to begin on March 20. The seat has been held by Varun Gandhi and his mother, Maneka Gandhi for nearly two decades.