NEW DELHI: In a major development, arch-rivals Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP)and Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are likely to enter into an alliance ahead of the forthcoming by-polls in Uttar Pradesh.
According to several media reports, an official announcement is expected take place later on Sunday where the two political parties may announce to enter into an alliance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha by-polls in the state.
The Lok Sabha bypolls in Uttar Pradesh will be held for the Gorakhpur and Phulpur constituencies which after CM Yogi Adityanath and his Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya had vacated their seats.
“BSP to Support @samajwadiparty in the LS By-Polls in Phulpur & Gorakhpur. Much awaited decision by Mayawati Ji. Looking forward to contesting together & creating a larger Bahujan secular alliance ,” the tweet read.
BSP to Support @samajwadiparty in the LS By-Polls in Phulpur & Gorakhpur . Much awaited decision by Mayawati Ji . Looking forward to contesting together & creating a larger Bahujan secular alliance . pic.twitter.com/5uD4lOUYnT
— Pankhuri Pathak पंखुड़ी पाठक پنکھڑی (@pankhuripathak) March 3, 2018
Speaking to ANI, Samajwadi Party’s Sunil Yadav Singh said, “All I know is BSP does not contest by-elections. At both places where by-elections are being held, SP will give a strong fight to defeat the BJP.”
All I know is BSP does not contest by-elections. At both places where by-elections are being held, SP will give a strong fight to defeat the BJP: Sunil Singh Yadav, SP on reports of BSP support to SP for #Gorakhpur & #Phulpur by-elections pic.twitter.com/jUWwmI7ija
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 4, 2018
Voting for Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha bye-elections 2018 will be held on March 11 and the counting will be conducted on March 14.
The SP and BSP had earlier contested the 1993 UP assembly elections together to halt the rise of the BJP. Mayawati’s announcement of support to the Akhilesh-led SP may prevent a division of its vote bank.