Modi May Not Contest from Banaras Post SP-BSP Alliance: Bhadoria

BSP Leader Sudhindra Bhadoria speaks to The Quint about recent SP-BSP alliance.

(Photo: The Quint)

Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have recently announced their alliance in Uttar Pradesh. Of the 80 Lok Sabha seats, both the parties will contest for 38-38 seats. Amethi and Raebareli seats are vacant because of this coalition, and no announcements have been made about the remaining two seats.

Many questions have risen after this alliance. What does this coalition mean in UP? Why was the Congress not given place in this coalition? BSP Leader Sudhindra Bhadoria speaks to The Quint to address these questions and more.

Was the SP-BSP alliance out of desperation?

This alliance is not based on any compulsion but is based on shared ideology. In 1955-56, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia had tried to merge Samajwadi Party with the Republican Party under the leadership of Baba Saheb. After him, even Kanshi Ram tried. Then began our relationship with the Samajwadi Party. We used to have some differences in between. Today, we have organic and ideological unity. We are in favour of Mandal Commission, reservation, justice for women. We are the greatest strength behind secularism.

Why is Congress not in the alliance?

If you look at the 2017 election figures, Congress got 7% votes and seven seats. SP and BSP combined got 45% votes. In comparison with 45%, where does 7% even stand?

Why is no one contesting from AmethI and Raebareli?

As Mayawati said in a press conference, Rahul Gandhi is Congress’ President. Had we declared a candidate in Amethi, they would have got stuck there in elections. We do not want the party to end. They should contest in other states. They too should try and stop the BJP.

Would BSP support Congress post elections?

Politics is a game of possibilities. We will not compromise on our principles. Strategy is built based on circumstances.

Modi Ji, who was an MP from Banaras last time, is scared. He is unable to even declare which seat he will contest from.  

Sudhindra Bhadoria, BSP Leader

(This story was originally published on Quint Hindi)