The fifth phase polling will decide the fate of several turncoats who have entered the electoral battlefield after switching over loyalties. Among them some had left their respective party in search of greener pastures, others were left with no option but to join the other camps at the last minute after being denied ticket by their party.

Many of these turncoats were earlier associated with SP. The party’s MLA from Kishni (reserved) constituency in Mainpuri district, Sandhya Katheria, switched over to the BSP camp and is contesting the election as its candidate. Another SP MLA, Ashok Chandel of Hamirpur, moved over to Peace Party and is contesting the election to retain his seat. Two-time former MLA of SP, Sishupal Singh Yadav is contesting as Congress candidate this time from Etah constituency.

Another interesting example of turncoats is Urmila Yadav, who is contesting the Karhal Assembly seat in Mainpuri district as a Congress candidate. Urmila had won the Ghiraur seat in Mainpuri district twice as SP candidate.

Congress candidate from Mainpuri, Kali Charan Yadav, was once a SP leader. Another turncoat is Said Mustafa Sherwani. He had deserted SP during the last Lok Sabha election. Said Mustafa is contesting the Kasganj seat in Etah district as Congress candidate.