UP assembly polls: SP busy finalising candidates, completing alliance formalities with Congress

Hectic behind the scene parleys were on in UP’s ruling Samajwadi Party on Wednesday to finalise the list of candidates and complete alliance formalities with Congress, with the process of filing of nominations for the first phase of polling already underway.

In complete control of the party after the Election Commission settled the dispute over Samajwadi Party’s name and symbol in his favour, its new president and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was also in the process of revoking the expulsion of his loyalists ejected by his uncle and former state SP chief Shivpal Yadav.

“We are finalising the list of candidates. But at the same time we have to keep in mind the alliance with Congress. The final list will be out only after taking our ally into confidence,” a senior SP leader said.

He said Akhilesh was working on the candidates’ list keeping all the factors in mind.

Akhilesh has also decided to take back youth leaders expelled by Shivpal and their expulsion will be revoked soon, he said speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We have a dream and determination to make Akhileshji CM of UP again with the blessings of ‘Netaji’ (Mulayam Singh Yadav),” MLC and Akhilesh loyalist Anand Bhaduaria, who was among those expelled by Shivpal, told PTI.

Asked about revocation of his expulsion and that of other leaders, he said, “It’s now a mere formality. Netaji had earlier agreed to it and asked us to work for the victory of SP,” he said, adding the party was fully prepared to defeat “communal forces” in the state.

Meanwhile, despite the apparent truce in Samajwadi Party, Lok Dal was still hopeful of getting Mulayam Singh Yadav by its side, saying it expects “some development” in the next two-three days.

“I have met Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has been humiliated by son Akhilesh, who took away the party from him and again offered him to use our party’s banner. He (Mulayam) is in a dilemma after being ditched by son,” Lok Dal national president Sunil Singh told PTI, adding, “it’s obviously a tough decision to leave his own party.”