By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Elections are always crucial in politics. But the assembly elections in the state will prove to be a litmus test for several senior politicians who are state chief of their parties. Most of them are directly involved by contesting the election while few have the responsibility to steer their parties.
In Congress, state chief of UP Congress Committee (UPCC), Dr Rita Bahuguna Joshi will be contesting from Lucknow (Cantt). She also unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha 2009 elections from Lucknow. The only silver lining being that she led from Lucknow (Cantt) segment ahead of her Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rival and MP Lalji Tandon.
Needless to say that Joshi will have the responsibility to take forward the ‘Mission-2012’ of Congress general secretary, Rahul Gandhi. She also has her political stature at stake as her adversaries will go all out against her in case of any adverse result.
The state President of BJP, Surya Pratap Shahi is too trying his luck from Patherdeva assembly seat in Kushinagar. A seasoned politician of Poorvanchal region, Shahi too is leaving no stones unturned for his victory. His election also assumes importance with the dictat from BJP high command that all senior leaders should face the hustings.
Ruling Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) state Chief, Swami Prasad Maurya will also contest from Padrauna. He presently represents the constituency while his daughter Sanghmitra Maurya will contest from Etah.
Peace Party’s state Chief, Dr Abdul Mannan will again fight from Utraula constituency. Dr Mannan, a respectable eye surgeon has contested the 2007 assembly elections on Samajwadi Kranti Dal (SKD) ticket which was then floated by Beni Prasad Verma but lost. His prestige is also stake to ensure that his fledging outfit Peace Party is not merely plays spoilsport but also is a serious contender.
Baba Hardev of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) is also trying his luck from Etmadpur constituency in Agra district. Though a native of Allahabad district, Baba has spent major days of his service at Agra which also has good number of Jat voters which he perceives will come handy during elections.
Apna Dal’s national general secretary, Anupriya Patel will also contest from Rohania in Varanasi. Though she is not state chief but the outfit now rests on her shoulder after her father Sonelal Patel’s death. Similarly, Bundelkhand Congress Chief, Raja Bundela will also lead his outfit by contesting from Jhansi.
The only exception being Samajwadi Party’s (SP) state Chief, Akhilesh Yadav who will not be contesting the Assembly elections. Presently a Lok Sabha member, Akhilesh is touring the state on his kranti rath. However, another senior party leader Shivpal Yadav will again defend the family’s traditional Jaswantnagar seat in Etawah district.