Inspired by the success of the ‘grand alliance’ against the BJP, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said such a tie-up was possible in the state where Assembly elections are due in early 2017.Meanwhile, the possibility of having a similar tie-up like the Nitish Kumar- Lalu Yadav, in UP is unlikely, as Mayawati-led BSP will in all likelihood will not agree to come on board with Mulayam Singh Yadav-led SP. Also after losing in 2012, the BSP has galvanized its cadres and managed to revive lost ground support in the state.
On being asked about the possibility of such a coalition materialising in UP to take on BJP in 2017 assembly polls in UP, Akhilesh told reporters in Sant Kabir Nagar, “A Grand Alliance is possible in the state.” The Chief Minister, however, did not elaborate. His remarks came a day after an Uttar Pradesh minister suggested a Grand Alliance involving ruling SP and BSP for the upcoming assembly polls in the state similar to the one in Bihar where rivals RJD chief Lalu Prasad and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar came together and decimated BJP. Like Bihar, BJP had swept Uttar Pradesh also in Lok Sabha election last year and the party is hoping that it will return to power in the politically crucial state after nearly 15 years.
Akhilesh said people in Bihar had given their decision in favour of development. In UP panchyat polls, they have favoured SP’s development plank, Akhilesh Yadav said. “We will contest the 2017 assembly polls on the plank of development as we have ensured progress in every nook and corner of the state,” he said.