BJP worried, SP feud may hit its poll plans

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 24

Maintaining a watchful eye on the ongoing political theatrics in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is keeping its fingers crossed.

Officially, the party claims it is not worried over what it terms as a “griha yudh”— a “family war” in which the BJP has “no interest”. However, the SP deadlock has the saffron party worried and there are reasons for that.

In its quest for UP, the BJP’s best bet is that the Samajwadi Party, which party president Amit Shah termed as rival number one, remains united and under the control of Mulayam Singh. A united SP is mandatory to avoid any political advantage either to the Akhilesh Yadav faction or Maywati’s BSP in the coming elections.

Consider this: The saffron party is building its UP campaign around “gundagardi” (hooliganism) and “arajakta” (anarchy) in the state under the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government and “susashan” (good governance) and “vikas” (development) of the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, its face for UP

If there is a vertical split and Akhilesh decides to chart his own course, the BJP’s allegations — mafia control and SP-cadre hooliganism in the state—may no longer stick with the incumbent CM, who enjoys a good image and reputation among the younger lot in the state.

For many in UP, Akhilesh represents the future even while father Mulayam and uncle Shivpal have dubious links and company of people like Amar Singh and Azam Khan.

A bigger worry with the BJP is if Akhilesh joins hands with Opposition parties (Congress, Ajit Singh-led RLD and the JD-U), the anti-BJP vote will consolidate in their favour.

BJP’s other concern is about Mayawati and the BSP becoming a direct benefactor of the tussle for power in the SP. The deadlock is bound to disturb SP-equation not just with Muslims, but also with other communities, including the upper castes and backwards who may have voted in its favour in the last elections.