The BJP and its ally JD(U) are at loggerheads over the seat-sharing formula for the coming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. Both the NDA allies have failed to resolve the issue even after series of meetings between their state and central leadership. This is also delaying the announcement of the BJP’s candidates for the UP polls.
While the JD(U), upbeat after its performance in the Bihar Assembly polls, wants 53 seats, the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit is refusing to part with more than 24 seats. The BJP state unit has also told the party top brass that the “socio-political” situation is UP is different from Bihar.
Also, the JD(U)’s performance in the last Assembly polls was “disastrous,” the state unit, it was learnt, told the BJP central leadership.
Sources disclosed a majority section within the BJP’s state unit is in favour of going alone this time as it feels the JD(U)’s demand is illogical. The JD(U) had contested 17 seats in the last Assembly polls and had won only one. The BJP had fought the last Assembly polls along with the JD(U) and the Apna Dal. While the Apna Dal had contested 38 and won none, the JD(U) had won 17 seats.
The BJP had contested remaining seats and had won 51. After the death of Apna Dal founder Sonelal Patel, the JD(U) is claiming that most of its leaders have joined it, therefore, it should be given more seats this time.
The JD(U), sources said, is of the view that it should be given constituencies adjoining Bihar where it had a sweeping majority. The JD(U), it was learnt, is confident that it can repeat its performance in Uttar Pradesh while its alliance partner, the BJP, is unsure about it.
Also, internal surveys conducted by the BJP shows that it will increase its number significantly and the BJP top brass is heavily relying on these survey results.