Political speculations were already rife that Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj party may strike an alliance to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh in 2019. However, talks between the two regional parties are underway about a possible alliance in the upcoming assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “We have already struck an alliance with Gondwana Gantantra Party (GPP) and we are deliberating over forming an alliance with the BSP for the upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh.” However, some SP leaders have confirmed that the talks over fighting the elections in MP and Chattisgarh together have already been concluded.
The top leadership of all the three parties will finalize the modalities of the coalition. A formal coalition happens or not, but all the three parties have reportedly come to a common understanding as regards to seat sharing. SP has declared its candidates on 10 seats and will withdraw candidates from other 30 seats in Madhya Pradesh.
In Madhya Pradesh, the BSP announced its 28 more candidates on Friday. The party has declared 50 candidates for the state with 231 assembly seats. Chhattisgarh can also see a combination of BSP and SP going into the elections together. BSP has already formed a coalition with Ajit Jogi in Chhattisgarh.
Earlier this month, Mayawati dumped Congress and Mahagathbandhan citing Congress party’s arrogance for her departure from the coalition. Following into the footsteps of Mayawati, even Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party gave a cold shoulder to Congress and decided to go on their own into the Madhya Pradesh elections.
It appears that the estrangement with Congress party has brought the rival parties on the same page. Most regional parties distancing themselves from the Mahagathbandhan have cited Congress’ inability to forge a grand alliance and haughty disregard of smaller parties as reasons for dumping the coalition.