Even as major political parties were struggling to decide candidates for the crucial biennial polls to 13 seats of UP legislative Council, Election Commission on Monday issued notification for the polls kicking off the nomination process.
like Rajya Sabha, the ruling BJP will be the major gainer as it will grab at least 11 seats of the total 13 in the fray. The united opposition could walk away with two seats.
After the hectic Rajya Sabha polls last month, legislative Council polls are set to be another round of political battle between the BJP and united opposition - SP-BSP and Congress. The term of 13 members will end on May 5 and polling will be held on April 26. Outgoing member and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav could seek re-election to the Council. For the second seat, there is likely to be a joint opposition candidate of Bahujan Smajaj party supported by the SP and Congress.
The BJP is likely to finalise candidates during the proposed visit of party chief Amit Shah to lucknow this week. Two UP ministers Mahendra Kumar Singh and Mohsin Raza’s term would end on May 5 and they could be renominated.