160 names final, Samajwadi Party begins work on 2nd list

LUCKNOW: After taking an early lead in finalisation of nearly 160 candidates, the Samajwadi Party has intensified its preparations for the upcoming assembly polls and formed committees to gather feedback about sitting MLAs and suggest a shortlist of potential candidates in constituencies where none have been announced.

The SP has divided Uttar Pradesh into 18 zones that cover 403 assembly seats. Two MLCs (member of legislative council) have been deputed to each zone and have been asked to visit all constituencies under their area, remain behind the scenes as much as possible, and gather feedback without any fanfare.

The MLCs have been asked to camp in their areas and meet party leaders as well as neutral observers from the society to collate public sentiment and what the voters are thinking.

They will asses the performance and popularity of sitting MLAs of the party and whether repeating them in the forthcoming polls would be a winning bet. Samajwadi Party seniors are currently of the opinion to drop sitting MLAs so as to cut anti-incumbency which may have set in against the government.

A section in the SP feels that with CM Akhilesh Yadav enjoying a good image, any anti-incumbency against the party can be neutralised by dropping sitting MLAs who have not kept touch with voters.

However, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, at a dinner last month, assured MLAs of renominating them for the upcoming assembly polls.