SP candidates say Azam and other factors led to tally dip

The Kalyan Singh factor, organisational flaws and intra-party indiscipline have been cited by Samajwadi Party candidates as reasons for their party's dip in tally as also Muslim votes in Lok Sabha polls.

The manner in which the Kalyan Singh factor was raked up by senior party leader Azam Khan, organisational flaws and intra-party indiscipline have been cited by Samajwadi Party candidates as reasons for their party's dip in tally as also Muslim votes in Lok Sabha polls.

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The hustings witnessed the party tally dive to 24 seats from 37 in the last general elections.

At a review meeting with all candidates two days ago, the party leadership got feedback that the Kalyan Singh factor was one of the reasons for the Muslim vote split in UP, apart from the presence of parties like the Ulema Council and the Peace Party, specially in eastern districts, that had confused the community and had cut into the Muslim support of the party, party sources said.

Further, the complaints of Azam Khan against Kalyan Singh, trying to bring back focus on the Ayodhya temple issue, had affected the party's fortunes on some seats, they said.

"Some organisational shortcomings have also come to light", they said, without elaborating.