There is no doubt that Samajwadi Party is the main opposition party which unnerved BJP high command recently through brilliant performance in recently concluded panchayat polls. Samajwadi Party under the leadership of former CM and national President Akhilesh Yadav emerged as biggest gainer and main party in panchayat polls.

The results of panchayat polls which reflected the mood of rural and semi urban voters made it clear that it was Samajwadi Party which was posing main threat to BJP in UP. It may be mentioned here that during last assembly elections Samajwadi Party was voted out of power by BJP which surprised everybody by getting more than 300 seats out of a total of 403 seats in the state assembly.

Enthused by the success in panchayat polls, Akhilesh Yadav has started devoting time to prepare for assembly polls. He has directed party leaders to build strong organisation at booth level so that voters are mobilised and motivated to vote for the party. The manner in which large number of leaders and MLAs from other parties have joined Samajwadi Party in recent months made it clear that Akhilesh Yadav had the capacity to take on CM Yogi Adityanath and his party.

There is a virtual mad rush for applications for Samajwadi Party tickets for assembly polls. People from other parties have also applied for Samajwadi Party tickets. Akhilesh Yadav is busy in making rainbow coalition with smaller parties representing different castes to enlarge the support base. He is in touch with leaders representing their own caste groups like Om Prakash Rajbhar, Chandrashekhar Ravan and family members of late Sonelal Patel. He is aiming to get support from rajbhars, Dalits and kurmi.

Eversince Mulayam Singh Yadav as UP CM ordered firing on kar sewaks in Ayodhya in 1990 to protect Babri mosque majority of muslims have supported SP candidates. This time too Akhilesh Yadav is confident of getting main chunk of Muslim votes despite attempts from Congress and BSP to split minority votes. Much significance is being attached to the manner in which Akhilesh Yadav played aggressive dalit card by holding dalit deepawali when party workers were directed to put light near statues of dalit icons and visit dalit bastis.

The manner in which entire BJP led by CM Yogi Adityanath is attacking Akhilesh Yadav has made clear that Samajwadi Party was main threat to saffron brigade in retaining the power in UP which holds the key to power at the centre.

Significantly Akhilesh Yadav is more focused in criticising the bad handling of pandemic whether it be shortage of oxygen, beds in hospitals and black marketing of life saving drugs, underplaying number of deaths. Akhilesh realised that Hindutva card of BJP could only be challenged by strong mandal card and highlighting shortcomings of Yogi government dealing with pandemic.

Another important opposition party is BSP which is gradually losing its relevance in state politics. Large-scale migration of senior leaders and workers from BSP to other parties has made it clear that all is not well in the party. The manner in which two senior leaders Ram Achal Rajbhar and Lalji Verma were removed from the party on the charges of anti party activities has surprised political observers. Lalji Verma who was leader of BSP legislature Party had worked with founder Kanshi Ram alongwith Ram Achal Rajbhar.

With the exit of these two leaders now, BSP has hardly anyone who was close to founder late Kanshiram. There has been systematic removal of those leaders and workers who had been loyal to Kanshiram. During last four years, BSP national President Mayawati has preferred to remain indoors and was not seen in public functions or leading any agitation to protest against central or state governments.

The manner in which Mayawati was seen supporting or advising central government on the issue of 370 removal in Kashmir, or dealing with anti CAA activists or handling of pandemic and farmers agitation, the perception is growing that she could reach to some understanding with BJP before assembly polls.

The fact remains Mayawati came to power twice in UP with the support of BJP. Congress under the leadership of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is gearing up for Mission 2022 to capture power. The manner in which Priyanka Gandhi infused confidence in Congress leaders and workers and made party more aggressive against Yogi government, has unnerved BJP leadership.

In order to give jolt to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in particular and Congress in general, BJP inducted powerful Brahmin leader from Congress Jitendra Prasad in party. BJP is aware that Brahmins were disenchanted with the party despite the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya and playing aggressive Hindutva card. They attempted to damage Congress by inducting Jitin Prasad. Jitendra Prasad whose father Jitin Prasad had been political adviser to Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narsimha Rao was working with Brahmin community in state. He was also incharge of party in West Bengal.

Congress Party under Priyanka Gandhi is busy in making the strong organisation at booth level. Priyanka Gandhi has made certain changes in the party to win over Muslim support when firebrand Imran Masood and Imran Pratapgarhi were given important position in party organisation.

Aam Admi Party is also making inroads in UP with Delhi CM promising concession in power and water on Delhi pattern. AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh is virtually camping in UP to set up the organisation in the state. (IPA Service)