BSP to come up with candidates list only after announcement of poll dates

The first list of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidates will come after the announcement of election schedule by the Election Commission. According to sources, BSP chief Mayawati is having a close watch on the developments in the Samajwadi Party, and will announce her list only after the implementation of ‘model code of conduct’ in the state.

“We have a tab on development in SP but we are far ahead than SP and BJP. The BSP has almost finalised the candidates for upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but the announcement will be made only after Election Commission proclaims the election schedule,” said a senior BSP leader. 

With Assembly polls are approaching fast, the BSP chief is camping in Lucknow  and keeping a close tab on SP affairs.“The fielding of candidates depends on the fate of the SP. If the party is united before elections BSP’s candidate list will change to suite the caste calculations,” said another senior of the party. As SP and BSP both consider Muslims as their core constituency, the fate of SP would impact the strategy of the political rivals.