The BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) Supremo Mayawati has announced list of 403 candidates for the ensuing Assembly Elections 2012 in Uttar Pradesh. This is the first assembly election after delimitation and reorganization of Assembly constituencies in the state. The BSP is contesting alone in the Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand. Mayavati has surprised the observers by giving more number of seats to upper castes. Out of the total of 403 candidates, 117 are from upper caste, 113 are from OBC, 88 are from SCs and 85 candidates are from minorities. In 117 candidates from upper caster, 74 are from Brahmins and 33 are from Chattriyas. With this announcement of the candidates list, the BSP has entered into poll fray on the 56th birth day of incumbent Chief Minister, Mayawati. There were several changes in the present constituencies after the delimitation of Assembly Constituency by Election Commission of India.
Prominent contestants in the list are Anant Kumar Mishra, Nakul Dubey, Doctor Shaheed, Siddharth Shankar, Namrata Pathak, Irshad Khan etc. Health Minister in the present Government Anant Kumar Mishra alias Antu Mishra will contest from Lucknow (north) this time. He contested and won from Farukkhabad constituency in the 2007 Assembly elections. Urban Development Minister Nakul Dubey has been fielded from Bakshi Ka Talab seat instead of his present constituency Mahona in Lucknow. The Mohana assembly seat had been disappeared after delimitation exercise by Election Commission in the state. Former ZP chairman Pushpa Rawat has been named as contestant from Mohalalganj. KK Sachan will be contesting from Lucknow (East).
Former Samajwadi Party leader Fakir Siddiqui, who joined the BSP in the last Lok Sabha elections was chosen for Lucknow (Central) segments and Doctor Shaheed will contest from Lucknow (West). Siddharth Shankar has been named for Malihabad Constituency. Namrata Pathak, wife of Rajya Sabha member Brijesh Pathak will be in the fray from Unnao Sadar seat. Present MLA from Sarojini Nagar Constituency, Mohammed Irshad Khan will be the BSP’s candidate from Bangarmau seat in Unnao district. The BSP has fielded Narendra Lodhi from Purwa while Ram Badan Kuril was selected to contest from Shafipur Constituency, both in Unnao.
The BSP has garnered largest number of seats in 2007 Assembly elections emerging as the single largest party and formed the Government on its own. Mayawati recently has taken some bold decisions through sacking about 10-15 ministers from the cabinet who were facing various allegations and charges. The SP and BJP have already announced their candidates list and the Congress Party is also gearing itself to come out with its contestants. On the occasion of her 56th birth day, Mayawati released the seventh part of her book, ‘A Travelogue of My Struggle – Ridden Life and BSP Movement’ along with a CD of election related songs and her appeal to the voters of the state. The party is likely to use the CD extensively for campaign in the Assembly elections. The BJP has just released its fifth list of candidates. Party’s fire brand leader in the UP, Uma Bharathi did not find place in this list also, for the surprise of the party cadre and political observers.