With the BSP chief Mayawati busy finetuning poll strategy for the Lok Sabha elections, a number of party MPs are looking at other political parties in the event they are denied tickets.
A section of the BSP MPs are sensing trouble, with fear that they may not be given party tickets, as Ms Mayawati is likely to field new faces in the next elections.
“There are hints that a large number of sitting Lok Sabha MPs may be denied party tickets, as part of the move to field new faces in the next elections. This is in line with the strategy of Ms Mayawati. Therefore, it’s quite natural that the party MPs will look for opportunities in other political parties,” said a senior BSP functionary.
The BSP supremo is stated to be giving her full attention to re-energise the party cadres. “She is taking feedback on all party MPs and their works in their respective parliamentary constituencies. She takes anti-incumbency factor against sitting MPs strongly and to beat that she fields new faces,” added the party functionary.
In the run up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, a large number of BSP MLAs, after being denied tickets, had joined other political parties, including the Samajwadi Party and BJP.
“Even though the BSP MLAs had joined other political parties in the UP state elections, few could win the elections,” said the BSP functionary.
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Gehlot strengthens his position
Narayan Bareth
Jaipur, nov. 8
Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has strengthened his position in last two months, while his detractors in the ruling Congress were gunning for him. According to the party sources, the three successive rallies on part of UPA government and the Congress proved a boon for Mr Gehlot while his adversaries sidelined.
“The CM had proved his potential by mobilising a good number of people from Rajasthan at the Congress rally in Delhi,” said a party leader. The party high command noted the large turnout from the desert state and the CM was personally supervising the preparations and ensured a significant presence from the state. “His rivals were busy voicing concerns against him, but he left no stone unturned to make rally a success,” said a party insider.