Despite lacking the numbers, Bahujan Samaj Party’s move to field candidate for the biennial Rajya Sabha poll is likely to force election for the 10 seats.
Based on its strength in the UP Assembly, the ruling BJP could easily win 8 seats, while Samajwadi Party could bag one. The BJP is eying the tenth seat on the basis of its surplus votes, rebels from Congress, BSP and allies. To get elected, a candidate would need at least 36 first preference votes.
The BSP, with only 18 MLAs, is banking on the support of surplus votes of the SP, Congress and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (a former ally of the BJP). The BSP also expected to get support from the most unexpected quarter - rebel MLAs from the BJP.
The RS elections are scheduled on November 9 and the set is now stage for an interesting contest. It’s likely to be to a contest between the BSP, keen on avenging the defeat of its candidate in RS election held in March, 2018, and the BJP, which will leave no stone unturned to break into opposition’s ranks and grab the ninth seat for the Upper House.
BSP leader in UP Assembly, Lalji Verma said that its candidate Ramji Gautam would file his papers for the upcoming RS polls on Monday October 26. “The BSP would send Gautam to the Upper House on the basis of support from other opposition parties,” he claimed.
In the 2018 RS election, BSP candidate Bhimrao Ambedkar had lost, despite the combined support of both Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress. Ambedkar lost ddue to cross-voting by BSP MLAs and BJP’s successful bid to win the support of Independent legislators.
