BSP in election mode, to begin campaign in June

THE BAHUJAN Samaj Party (BSP) plans to launch its election campaign in June. During her visit to the city on May 25, party supremo Mayawati is expected to give final approval to a list of candidates prepared by a screening committee.

THE BAHUJAN Samaj Party (BSP) plans to launch its election campaign in June.

HT Image

During her visit to the city on May 25, party supremo Mayawati is expected to give final approval to a list of candidates prepared by a screening committee.

Party sources said over two-dozen sitting MLAs may be replaced with fresh faces. The constituencies of around a dozen MLAs will be changed. The ‘winnablity’ of the candidate would be one of the main factors in selection, said a screening committee member.

“Once ‘behenji’ approves the list, the candidates will be directed to launch their election campaign in respective constituencies,” he said.  While the Samajwadi Party, the Congress and the BJP are yet to gear up for the Vidhan Sabha election due next year, the BSP has already gone into election mode.

Mayawati had directed party leaders to complete constitution of the booth committees by the end of April.

Election coordinators will submit the list of the booth committee members to her. A majority of the booth committees had been constituted, an election coordinator of West Uttar Pradesh.

Besides focusing on the Brahmin community, the party has decided to woo Muslims, Vaishyas, Yadavs and the other backward castes.

“We will organise rallies for various castes in all parts of the State, particularly in the strongholds of various castes and communities,” said an election manager. 

Senior leaders who have put pressure on the party high command for a ticket to their wards are yet to get a positive response from Mayawati.

Though the party president had been informed about the demand of the leaders, the application of their wards had been put on hold, said a BSP leader.

Tickets would be given to candidates with mass support and those who have the election coordinators’ approval, he said.