BJP should see positives behind SP-BSP unity in UP bypolls

Sanjay Bhatnagar
Published on: 7 March 2018 12:01 PM GMT
BJP should see positives behind SP-BSP unity in UP bypolls
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Sanjay Bhatnagar

Lucknow: Politics make strange bed-fellows. The electoral understanding between BSP and SP in the coming bypolls at Gorakhpur and Phulpur parliamentary constituencies in Uttar Pradesh is just an example which ostensibly has perturbed the ruling BJP dispensation.

Yes ! theoretically, it sounds a dooms for Bharatiya Janata Party given the formidable cast-based combined vote bank of Samajwadi Party and Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party what the state has seen 25 years ago.

It was 25 years ago and since then a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. The advent of BJP post-Ayodhya movement and re-advent of BJP under Modi-Shah duo has diverted the political climate and vote distribution pattern to a different trajectory. The formidability of SP-BSP combine is seriously challenged in view of the fast-changed political dynamics of the country as well as Uttar Pradesh.

If 2014 Lok Sabha and 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls are some pointers then the move by Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav should be a welcome move by the BJP which can well be elucidated in following way.

Sooner or later, before the 2019 General Elections, the efforts for a 'grand alliance' were bound to take place in view of the truculent brand of BJP's politics. This move would probably the best occasion for the BJP, more than SP and BSP, to gauge the efficacy of the alliance. By forging an electoral understanding in bypolls, the SP-BSP combine has provided BJP enough time to strategise for 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

It could well be said that SP and BSP are 'testing' the waters as far as the opposition unity and its strength is concerned but same goes even better for BJP which has nothing to lose. The saffron party has to act as an observer and if it stills win then the opposition unity may go for a toss and even if it loses, the time is with Modi and Shah to manoeuvre for 2019. Moreover, the bypolls and General Elections are totally different ball games and BJP, which might be having biggest stake in UP, is in a win-win situation.

Let us wait and watch.

Also read: Once bitten never shy: This is how UP govt posted IAS officer in Kumbh

Sanjay Bhatnagar

Sanjay Bhatnagar

Writer is a bi-lingual journalist with experience of about three decades in print media before switching over to digital media. He is a political commentator and covered many political events in India and abroad.

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