Congress announces support to SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate in UP's Ballia

Days after Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) extended support to a candidate of SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Thursday said that it will support 'Mahagathbandhan' candidate Sanatan Pandey from Ballia Lok Sabha seat.      
"We will support SP candidate Pandey as we did not have our candidate here. Our objective is to ensure the defeat of the BJP candidate," Congress District president Sachidanand Tiwari told reporters.

Earlier, the Congress had extended its support to Jan Adhikar Manch candidate, but the nomination papers of that candidate were rejected. 

This is for the first time in the history of Lok Sabha elections, when the grand old party has not fielded a candidate from this parliamentary seat. 

The Congress had participated in every Lok Sabha Election on this birthplace of various stalwarts like former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar, veteran politician and emergency hero Jai Prakash Narayan and Samajwadi thinker Janeshwar Mishra. 

This Lok Sabha constituency goes to polls in the seventh and last phase of elections on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the SBSP has extended support to grand alliance candidate in Maharajganj, and Congress’s candidate in Mirzapur. 
According to reports, Rajbhar – who is a cabinet minister in BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government – said that that he has decided to support that party which will defeat the BJP candidate. 

Congress has fielded Lalitesh Pati Tripathi from Mirzapur. Apna Dal (Sonelal) leader and Union Minister Anupriya Patel is seeking reelection from Mirzapur.

Apna Dal-S had won two seats in Uttar Pradesh - Pratapgarh and Mirzapur - in 2014 elections.