Nitish-led new front all set to upset poll equations in UP

In an attempt to make its presence in upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, a new political front is set to be announced on Tuesday. As Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi and former Union Minister Ajit Singh will be coming together on one platform at a political rally in Baraut near Meerut in Western UP, it is just a formality to complete by making the announcement.

According to political experts, the move would prove to be big development that may dent the vote share of major political parties of the state, including Samajwadi Party (SP), BSP and BJP. 

The move has been given the final share after tasting the success of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, where JD(U), RJD and Congress are alliance partners.

To make its remarkable presence in UP assembly elections, the JD (U), Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajtantrik) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) would forge an alliance. Interestingly, in Uttar Pradesh JD(U), Congress and RJD would campaign against each other with RJD partnering with ruling Samajwadi Party and Congress going alone.

According to sources, prior to finalisation of alliance partners, top leaders of JD(U) –Nitish and Sharad Yadav, RLD chief Ajit Singh, his son Jayant Chaudhary and poll strategist Prashant Kishor have conducted a series of meeting since March this year to work out the modalities. 

The RLD has been an important player in western Uttar Pradesh. It’s pertinent to mention here that Kishor, who made JD(U)-RJD alliance in Bihar, is the election strategist for the Congress, which is fighting for its survival in UP.

While Kumar roped in Marandi, who had parted ways with BJP long back and formed his own party, Ajit Singh and senior JD (U) leader KC Tyagi held several rounds of discussions along with Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya) chief Kamal Morarka, who is also likely to experiment in the new UP poll alliance. JD(U) has also roped in Peace Party, which has some presence in eastern UP. Peace Party chief Sub Andrei had also met Nitish Kumar and KC Tyagi to discuss the issue.