Jaya Bachchan trounces others to become Samajwadi's RS candidate
In a surprising development, SP has announced veteran actress Jaya Bachchan as its candidate for upcoming RS polls. Earlier, the party was expected to choose someone more experienced like Naresh Aggarwal. However, MP Amar Singh claimed, "Jaya Bachchan was consistently loyal to the Samajwadi Party, its system and hierarchy." RS elections for 10 UP seats are scheduled for March 23. Here's more about it.
How is SP placed with respect to RS elections?
As per UP's electoral college, BJP's landslide victory in assembly polls'17 (312/403 seats) makes it a clear winner for at least eight seats. SP is reduced to merely 47 MLAs. As minimum 37 MLAs are required for winning a seat, this makes SP eligible for only one seat. Conversely, Mayawati's BSP has 19 MLAs; it can't send its representative without support from another party.
Wasn't BSP chief Mayawati's brother also in the fray?
Mayawati named old loyalist, Bhim Rao Ambedkar as the party's candidate. She slammed speculation about naming her brother as the candidate saying she doesn't believe in dynastic politics. This also put to rest rumors that the four-time CM had extended support to arch-rival SP's candidates in Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls to get the latter's support for her brother's RS candidacy.
Meanwhile, Bachchan was also a front-runner for a TMC nomination
Notably, earlier reports indicated that WB CM Mamata Banerjee's TMC was going to nominate Bachchan. In fact, she was also a front-runner with a formal announcement expected around March 18. However, it seems three-time RS MP Bachchan won't be returning to her Bengali roots yet. In RS' upcoming biennial elections, 58 MPs will retire. With BJP's state tally increasing, it will make big gains.
