With the political mood swinging at the ground level in Uttar Pradesh, time has come for political leaders to begin switching their loyalties.
A senior Samajwadi minister in the Akhilesh government and three Samajwadi MPs are said to be preparing to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket.
The three MPs, two from eastern UP and one from western UP, have already opened up channels of communication with the BJP leadership and have also had two meetings with the leaders in the BJP.
Talking to this correspondent on condition of anonymity, one of the MPs disclosed that while they had already been assured a ticket by the BJP: “at least half a dozen MPs and legislators were keen to switch over to the BJP on the eve of Lok Sabha elections”.
“Resentment has been brewing over the performance of the Akhilesh Yadav government. Our work is not being done, the officers do not listen to us and the chief minister, it seems, couldn’t care less. The Muzaffarnagar riots have proved to be the proverbial last nail in the coffin and we are heading towards the BJP now,” he disclosed.
The MP added that his supporters were being targeted by the police in his own constituency and though he had reported the issues to the chief minister, no action had been taken.
The other two MPs also confessed that they could not hope to get re-elected on a Samajwadi ticket. “Just look at the mood of the people — they are almost hostile towards this government and I am not talking about Muslims alone. If want to get re-elected, I will have to search for better options,” he stated.
A senior minister in the state government is also said to be negotiating with the BJP and is likely to announce his decision as soon as the LS poll schedule is announced. The minister belongs to western UP and is upset at the manner his stature was downgraded a few months ago.
Meanwhile, a BJP leader admitted that these MPs and minister were in touch with the party leadership.
An SP minister rubbished the reports and said that the party was intact and there was no question of anybody shifting over to the BJP side. “And if anyone does cross over, we will be better off without deadwood like him,” he added.