Lok Sabha polls: Congress, RLD fight over Bulandshahr seat

BULANDSHAHR: Congress and its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal ( RLD) are engaged in a tug of war over Bulandshahr constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Bulandshahr, which has around 17.1 lakh voters, and is a reserved for Scheduled Castes, will go to polls on April 10.

Ajit Singh-led RLD has claimed the right to contest the seat arguing that there were 3.2 lakh Jat voters in the region.

Congress, on the other hand, has claimed the seat saying two other reserved seats in western Uttar Pradesh, Nagina and Hathras have been left for RLD.

"Hence, there is no justification for leaving Bulandshahr for RLD," Congress spokesman Sheopal Singh.

The tug of war between the two has delayed the announcement of candidates from the alliance even as the date for filing of nomination for the election is fast approaching.

Except BSP, other major parties are yet to name their contestants for the seat.

The Samajwadi Party which won the seat in 2009 elections has changed its nominee thrice, while BJP, Congress, AAP are yet to announce its nominees.