Party facing dissension over distribution of tickets
THE RESENTMENT over the distribution of tickets for mayoral and ward candidates in Samajwadi Party has landed the party leaders in piquant situation.
The party’s fear of large-scale dissension in the run up to crucial State Assembly election has finally come true. Now desperate moves have been launched to control the situation.
There is now virtual rebellion at lower level in almost every district. Even rebellion virus has hit Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s hometown Etawah where the city unit chief Nafisul Hasan Ansari has resigned from the primary membership of the party.
Significantly his supporters including Sabrina Begum and Salma Begum who had been nominated as party’s ward candidates, have refused to accept ticket.
Ansari has resigned following denial of ticket for Nagar Palika chairman. He has accused the party of following anti-Muslim policies. The selection of BJP deserter Neeraj Chaturvedi as mayoral candidate in Kanpur has not only led to open dissension in the party, but minority community has come out on streets to protest the SP’s decision.
More than row over mayoral candidates, tussle among grassroots workers in ward election has been worrying the leadership.
{{/usCountry}}More than row over mayoral candidates, tussle among grassroots workers in ward election has been worrying the leadership.
{{/usCountry}}The party has thus directed the local leaders to start damage control exercise so that it could not persist up to the assembly election. While making efforts to stop rebel candidates, moves are afoot to avoid alienation among the workers.
Although, the SP was opposed to civic election and made efforts to scuttle it up to the last moment. It has now taken up the poll as pre-assembly exercise to gear up the organisation at the lower level.
While the elections have exposed the party to many dangers, it has, however, provided an opportunity to test its new constituency in urban areas. The Vaishya leaders, who have been making tall claims about the growing proximity of trading community with the SP, would be put to severe test during the poll.
Moreover, clamouring in the political circle about ‘distancing of Muslim community’ from the SP could be assessed.