BSP not to contest Ghazipur, Bilari by-elections in Uttar Pradesh

GHAZIPUR: Bahujan Samaj Party will not contest the by-elections in Ghazipur and Bilari and instead focus on Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh next year, BSP state unit chief Ram Achal Rajbhar said today.

"BSP will not contest any of the by-elections this year, rather it will prepare for the coming Assembly elections in 2017 and contest it with full strength to end 'goondaraj' and establish rule of law under the leadership of Mayawati," Rajbhar told newspersons here.

" People want freedom from the jungleraj," he said and alleged that law and order in the state has failed.

The Election Commission has announced by-elections on the two seats on May 16.

Jangipur seat in Ghazipur district fell vacant following the death of sitting MLA and cabinet minister Kailash Yadav due to brain haemorrhage in February, while Bilari following death of 64-four-year-old Haji Irfan in a road accident in March.

Alleging that the Samajwadi government scrapped the scheme started by the previous BSP regime to provide roof over the heads of the homeless people, he said the programme will be restarted once the party returns to power.

Rajbhar said rumours were being spread regarding BSP nominees to confuse the electorate and asked them to remain alert.