Mirapur Seat to RLD, No Consensus on Majhwa: UP BJP Reaches Out to Allies Ahead of Bypolls

The BJP is on a strong footing ever since the Haryana win and may not like to let go of more than one seat for the Nishad Party. (PTI)

Sources say Nishad Party is bargaining for two seats --- Majhwa and Katehri --- which the BJP thinks is way above its weight

The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has gone on an overdrive to reach out to its allies in the state ahead of crucial bypolls on 10 seats. While Uttar Pradesh BJP president Bhupendra Singh met Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary, he dialled Sanjay Nishad, the head of Nishad Party.

Sources say both BJP and RLD have agreed on one seat for the latter which has a strong hold among Jats as well as farmers. In the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, it was decided that the Mirapur seat will go to RLD to keep Jayant Chaudhary happy.

However, the Nishad Party is bargaining for two seats which the BJP thinks is way above its weight. Sources say Nishad Party is asking for Majhwa and Katehri seats. In Sunday’s meeting, Majhwa was discussed but the sentiment was against taking it away from BJP. Chaudhary made a call to the Nishad Party chief which seems to have communicated the feeling.

Meanwhile, Nishad said: “I will most likely meet Union home minister (Amit Shah) in the next few days. Till something is communicated to us, we remain confident of contesting on two seats, Majhawa and Katehari”.

However, if BJP refuses to cede, does that mean the end of the BJP-Nishad Party alliance? The saffron party is on a strong footing ever since the Haryana win and may not like to let go of more than one seat. Additionally, giving two seats to Nishad Party and one to RLD will force BJP back to the strategy table once again.