On the virtue of its number in Vidhan Sabha Samajwadi Party is all likely to sweep the Rajya Sabha by-polls to be held in Uttar Pradesh on December 20.
According to state electoral officer Umesh Sinha, the by-election was necessitated due to the death of SP member Mohan Singh on September 22 last. The term of the seat will expire on July 4, 2016. The second seat where by-election would be held was vacated due to disqualification of Congress member Rashid Masood on September 19, after he was convicted in a crime. The term of the seat expires on April 2, 2018.
Sinha said the notification for the by-elections would be issued on December 3 while the last date for nominations is December 10. Scrutiny of the papers would be done on December 11 and candidates can withdraw their nominations tillDecember 13. If necessary, polling would be held on December 20 from 0900 hrs to 1600 hours and the result would be declared thereafter.
Both the seats are likely to be annexed by Samajwadi Party because of its present strength in Vidhan Sabha. In the 402 member assembly SP has 224 members, followed by BSP 80, BJP 47, Congress 28 and lok Dal 9. The rest are members of Peace Party, Apna Dal and independents.