As per the existing strength in UP Assembly, Samajwadi Party would have sent six candidates BSP two and BJP one. Congress too with support from Independents would have sent one. But elections became interesting when SP decided to field seven candidates and BJP decided to support high profile candidate from Gujarat Preeti Malhotra enjoying close proximity to PM Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah. BJP has already announced Shiv Pratap Shukla as official candidate.

Ever since BJP high command asked the state leader leadership to ensure victory of Preeti Mahapatra with the support from smaller parties and independents, the fear of poaching also caused major political parties to check on their own candidates. BJP is in touch with rebel MLAs in almost all the political parties who would not get ticket from their own parties.

Congress MP Pramod Tewari alleged that BJP was indulging in purchase of MLAs and assurance of ticket in 2017 assembly polls. Although Pramod Tewari said that there was no threat to party candidate Kapil Sibal who had backing from BSP also but there are certain MLAs in the party who may shift loyalty as they are apprehensive of being axed out in 2017 assembly polls.

The Congress has announced a dinner for its 29 MLAs on June 8 in Lucknow. Congress candidate Kapil Sibal will be present along with AICC general secretary Madhusudan Mistry, state president Nirmal Khatri, and Congress Legislative Party leader Pradeep Mathur. Those skipping the dinner will be taken as voting against the party line.

Samajwadi Party, which requires support of at least nine MLAs beside 229 MLAs party has in UP Assembly , is also under threat of poaching . A large number of party MLAs are apprehensive to not getting ticket and they are in touch with BJP. Much significance is being attached to the visit of SP national President. It is worth mentioning here that Raghuraj Pratap Singh was inducted in the cabinet despite being independent candidate. There are reports that Raghuraj Pratap Singh also known as Raja Bhaiyya and a large number of thakur MLAs of Samajwadi Party were in touch with BJP.

Samajwadi Party has asked all its 229 MLAs to remain present in Lucknow for special training for Rajya Sabha polling and meeting with national President Mulayam Singh Yadav.

In order to preempt any possible revolt from thakur MLAs, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh rushed to the residence of Raja Bhaiyya and met several MLAs there.

Although BSP with 80 MLAs has no problem for its two candidates including sitting MP Satish Chandra Mishra as per the strength in UP Assembly and gave assurance to Congress from remaining 12 MLAs but the aggressive manner in which BJP leadership is wooing dalits for party fold before 2017 assembly polls, Mayawati is also afraid of poaching and is keeping check on party MLAs.

For UP Council SP, BSP and BJP can send seven, two and one respectively but saffron party has fielded three candidates which could create problem for BSP and Congress which would still require additional support to existing number of 29 MLAs. It would be very interesting to see whether rebel party MLAs demonstrate enough courage to come out in open and indulge in cross voting. (IPA Service)