Congress to support SP in U.P. Council polls

Speculations about the Congress support to the Samajwadi Party in the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) elections in Uttar Pradesh were set at rest on Monday. The president of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee Nirmal Khatri has said that his party would support the Samajwadi Party candidate in the forthcoming polls. He has, however, ruled out the possibility of the Congress aligning with the Samajwadi Party in the future.

Biennial polls to the 12 seats in the Vidhan Parishad are to be held on January 23.

Reasoning out the decision to extend support to the Samajwadi Party, the UPCC president said his party does not have required strength in the Vidhan Sabha and the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded two candidates in the elections. “The Congress did not want the communal forces to indulge in horse-trading , hence it has been decided to immediately support the SP,” Mr.. Khatri said. The UPCC president clarified that the “immediate decision” of the party should not be seen as a step towards forging an alliance in the future.

“The Congress will go it alone in Uttar Pradesh and will better its future prospects in the State,” Mr. Khatri added.

Following the official announcement of the Congress’s support to the Samajwadi Party, the latter is now assured of winning eight seats in the impending elections. Eight nominees have been fielded by the party. The SP has 230 MLAs in the State Assembly and is assured winning seven seats on its own (first preference votes of 31 MLAs are required for winning a seat). Now, with the help of 28 MLAs, some Independents and MLAs of small parties, the ruling party is almost certain to win an eighth seat.

The BSP with a strength of 80 MLAs has fielded three candidates. It can win two seats on the basis of its MLAs’ support, but for winning the third seat it would require the assistance of other MLAs. The BJP has 41 MLAs and can win only one seat on its own. But it has fielded two candidates, thus paving the way for a contest between the BJP and BSP for the 12th seat.