It is advantage for Akhilesh Yadav with cycle symbol back to his poll fold and Rahul Gandhi joining SP as the coalition partner in UP elections. But the pity is that the front tyre of the cycle is already punctured by the Mulayam Singh faction and the rear one in all probability will be burdened by the lack of support for Rahul Gandhi and by the growing popularity of BJP’s standing as a National party. Opinion polls have clearly given an indication about the emergence of BJP as the single largest party to lead the pack in the UP elections. Opinion polls apart, BJP has scored a brownie point after the expected success of demonetization in various fronts and the safety of the country is well and truly ensured by this swift action. SP needs to strengthen its Muslim and Brahmin vote base if the wishes to strike balance and think of 100 plus seats in assembly polls. Over and above BSP is just waiting for a chance to pounce on SP if Akhilesh- Ra Ga combination fail to evince people’s interest on coalition politics. Again, when everything is fair in love and war, BJP may strike balance with BSP to upset the applecart. SP is in trouble already and seeking peace after father-son feud and that opens floodgates for BJP to go ahead with greater confidence.
Anandambal Subbu
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
