Cong dependent on SP, BSP in UP
The Centre’s growing dependence on the Samajwadi Party and BSP could weaken the Congress’ poll plank in Uttar Pradesh as the latter would find it difficult to launch an effective campaign against chief minister Mayawati and Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav in the coming electoral battle.
The Congress is mobilising people against the “corrupt” Mayawati government and cautioning them about Mr Yadav’s “goonda raj” in the state. It is fighting on two fronts against these two parties which have made a major dent in the Congress’ dalit and minorities support base.
But the SP and the BSP have been playing a role of “troubleshooter” at the Centre and thus helping the government in Parliament in every crisis by not voting against the cut motions on price rise or voting against the draft report of the Public Accounts Committee on the 2G scam in its meeting.
The SP had even backed the nuclear deal with the United States and voted for the government in July 2008.
In such a situation, the Congress would find it difficult to regain lost ground in the state and justify its “unconditional” support at the national level.
While the BSP and SP are announcing their nominees for the state Assembly polls, the Congress plans to release its first list of candidates before May 31.
According to an agency report from Orai/Hamirpur (UP), AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that the Congress would reward workers who have risen from the grassroots with senior posts at the state and national levels.
“Workers who have calibre will be given a chance to rise instead of those who have came directly,” he told a meeting of party workers at Banshidhar college in Orai.
He said only those who had experience at the ground level would be given higher posts. “Common workers in the field will be given preference in the party organisation. Those who are contributing to increasing base of the party at the booth level will also be given priority in ticket distribution for the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls,” he said.
Mr Gandhi said earlier workers used to work at the ground level but relatives of some big leaders elbowed them out to grab important posts.
“But it will not happen now,” he said, adding those who will work will be given party posts.
At the same time, he took potshots at both the ruling BSP and the main Opposition SP, saying in these parties only one leader has the power to take all decisions. This is not the case with the Congress, Mr Rahul Gandhi said.
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