The two recently-launched political parties, one by Shivpal Yadav and the other by independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh, are set to work as bulwark against the proposed alliance of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Both the parties have also hinted at forging an alliance ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Though both the parties deny having any truck with the BJP, the political strategy of the saffron party is clear about the next Lok Sabha elections. The political analysts see the two parties as a formidable force which will help the BJP protect its political space in the face of the onslaught it is likely to face from a united Opposition in UP. Analysts suggest that the new political outfits will aid the BJP, giving rise to speculation whether these heavyweights launched their parties on their own or with some tacit understanding with the saffron party.
The analyst believe that even if the two parties do not forge alliance and have tacit understanding with the BJP, it will give a weapon to the saffron to discredit the Opposition unity.
In the case of Shivpal and his Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party, there is a clear motive to dent the Samajwadi Party. Shivpal has already declared that his party will field candidates even against his nephew and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Though SP leaders choose not to comment officially against the ‘uncle’, they are unanimous in their belief that the BJP is behind his party launched by Shivpal Yadav.
Unlike Shivpal Yadav, the motive of Raja Bhaiya is yet to acquire a clear shape. The huge turnout at the launch of his Jansatta Party at Lucknow’s Ramabai Ambedkar maidan on Friday didn’t go unnoticed. Although the numbers at the rally were good, it was short on clear political messaging. Raja remained stuck to his one-line agenda of opposing the amendment to the SC/ST Act, which he described as draconian.
Earlier, Raja Bhaiya, when confronted by the media as to what he has to say on four-and-half years of Modi government and one-and-half years of Yogi Adityanath rule, had chosen to sidestep the question, betraying his hesitation in criticising the BJP.
The independent MLA from Kunda has been a long-time associate of the Samajwadi Party, but his ties with the SP got strained during the Rajya Sabha polls last year. He then voted for the BJP during the closely fought elections. Raja Bhaiya hostility with BSP president Mayawati is also an open secret. Mayawati as the Chief Minister had put him behind the bar under the stringent anti-terror law POTA.
Sources close to Raja Bhaiya said that Raja wanted to keep his independent identity intact while strategically working with the BJP and he could be a big factor in at least two Lok Sabha seats —- Pratapgarh and Kaushambi.