JOIN USThe all-winners brigade
The leaders of all four major players in Uttar Pradesh - BSP, Samajwadi Party, BJP and Congress - feel that their party will form the next government. While the SP banks on ‘anti-incumbency’ factor and BJP on ‘Anna Hazare effect’, the Congress flaunts its ‘pro-poor’ policies.
BSP supremo Mayawati, whose party had secured absolute majority in 2007 polls, claims she will return as she has taken care of every section of the population.
“The people are fed up with Mayawati government... she promised freedom from fear...today fear stalks the state...” says state BJP chief Surya Pratap Shahi.
Shahi feels people will support the saffron party as only the BJP can provide a `clean' government and does not discriminate on caste basis. On whether the dissension among the state leaders will have any effect on the outcome, he says that there are no differences and adds that the party will not project any one as its chief ministerial candidate. The BJP feels that the ‘Anna Hazare factor’ will also help it.
The SP is also banking heavily on the ‘anti-incumbency factor’. “Our government had taken steps to provide employment and promote industry,’’ says SP state unit chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Congress is solely dependent on the ‘Rahul effect’ though the state leaders are reluctant to admit it. “Rahul is the only leader who has been moving among the common people unlike many others, who fly by choppers and live in air-conditioned rooms in the state capital,’’ says a party leader.
“Mayawati launches projects from the state capital and does not move out,’’ says Ram Kumar Bhargava, UP Congress’ chief spokesman. Party leaders, however, concede that lack of a strong organisational base in the state may affect its chances.
The BSP leaders are confident that ‘behenji’s charisma’ will work again. “Our dalit vote bank is intact and we will get brahmin and muslim votes also. We are not perturbed by Rahul’s visits…we have a strong base at the village and booth level,’’ said a BSP leader. The leaders, however, worry over the spurt in crime and corruption charges.
Notwithstanding the claims, observers believe the state might return to the days of fractured mandate.