Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quereshi had discussions with the officials of the election commission of the state recently and he is also reported to have indicated that efforts will be made to hold the elections in UP along with the other states. His hint was that the elections could be suitable around February-March 2012. In fact, the CEC got representation from the political parties that in view of the harvesting season and the UP board examinations, February-March could be the most suitable time for the holding of elections instead of the scheduled period of May 2012.

The recent activities involving shifting loyalties of party MLAs hopping from one party to another in search of winnable seats, has added more confusion to state politics. Both ruling BSP and Samajwadi Party are involved in poaching of MLAs to outsmart each in this political war. The two political parties are busy in announcing the names of those MLAs who have changed sides after having been denied tickets by their own parties.

There is no doubt that Samajwadi party has succeeded in creating an impression that it was the only party which was capable to take on ruling BSP that all the MLAs from BSP were going to SP.

The political pundits opine that the chief minister Mayawati has been cornered by so many cases pending in Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court on the issue of disproportionate assets (DA) case and land acquisition and CBI probe into murders of three CMOs and huge bungling in National Rural Health mission. The indictment by Supreme Court and the Allahabad High Court has already embarrassed her.

The possible decisions of these cases pending in various courts and outcome of CBI probe could also create adverse effect on the image of the government which could damage the chances of ruling party candidates.

Moreover chief minister Mayawati is watching the manner in which her party MLAs are making beeline for Samajwadi Party tickets. Shocked by exodus from her party, Mayawati has repeatedly assured her party MLAs that all sitting MLAs would be repeated and those who would be denied tickets would also be adjusted elsewhere.

But the problems with party MLAs are that during four and half years they could not meet the chief minister Mayawati and take up the issues of their constituencies. BSP MLAs are also worried due to anti-incumbency wave working against the government as they could not get work done in their constituency through arrogant bureaucrats who had instructions from top to ignore requests from legislators.

In such an atmosphere, chief minister Mayawati may recommend early dissolution of the House to remain caretaker chief minister, till a new government is formed after the elections.

Much significance is being attached to the meeting of BSP MLAs convened by chief minister on August 11 after the monsoon session of UP Assembly is over. Unpredictable behaviour of the chief minister Mayawati is also forcing party MLAs and political analysists to think about early dissolution of the House. Last time also in 2003, the then chief minister Mayawati recommended the dissolution of UP Assembly before the completion of full tenure of UP Assembly. (IPA Service)