With a fear of horse trading looming large over Rajya Sabha election, all political parties have started process to keep its flock together as Samajwadi Party has charged opposition parties as `voto ke saudagar’
The ruling Samajwadi Party, which has fielded seven candidates for the Rajya Sabha and eight for the Council fears that many of its legislators might switch loyality. The ruling party is short of nine votes for its seventh candidate for the RS and three short for its eighth candidate in Council.
“The BJP and RSS are master in whisper campaign. They have already started talking about cross-voting from SP law makers. But we are confident of victory of our all candidates in Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad,” SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhry said in a statement issued here on Thursday.
He said voto ke suadagar (traders of votes) are out and are looking for easy prey. “They will not find dal badlu in Samajwadi party,” he said.
Sources in the party said that feelers have also been sent to the legislators that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav might go for an expansion after biennial election. Political grapevine suggests that he might include many young faces in the cabinet.
“This is an allurement for the young crowd to stay together. Chief Minister has report about some young MlAs who are in touch with BJP leaders. Chief Minister has dangled a carrot. Only the time will tell whether he will be able to keep his flock together or not,” a senior leader said.
The Congress is also passing though same problem as it needs five additional votes to ensure success of Kapil Sibal in Rajya Sabha.
1A senior Congress leader said that party’s state president Nirmal Khatri is in touch with legislators. “Party leaders from Delhi have also spoken to ClP leader Pradeep Mathur who has assured that legislators are united and would support Congress candidates,” Congress spokesman Amarnath Agarwal said.
However, the BJP is sitting comfortable in this biennial election even after forcing elections by supporting an Independent candidate Preeti Mahapatra. She is 12th candidate for Rajya Sabha while party has fielded Daya Shanker Singh as 14th candidate.
There are 11 seats for the Rajya Sabha and 13 seats for the council. A candidate would require 34 votes for the RS seat and 29 votes for the council.
The present strength of the UP assembly is : SP -229, BSP -80, BJP -41, Congress -29, RlD 08, Peace Party- 4, Quami Ekta Dal-2, NCP-1, Apna Dal -1, Ethad-e-Millat Council- 1, All India Trinamool Congress-1, Independent 6 and nominated 1.