Split wide open? Rahul may take on Mulayam in his den
Rahul to campaign for Raj Babbar against Mulayam’s daughter-inlaw.
By Subodh Ghildiyal, TNN |
NEW DELHI: Congress assertion in Uttar Pradesh may touch a new level with heir apparent Rahul Gandhi challenging Samajwadi Party in its den of Ferozabad in what will mark a sharp escalation of its fight with Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Rahul is expected to campaign on October 30 for Raj Babbar against Dimple Yadav , Mulayam���s daughter-inlaw , in a by-election . The programme , if it goes ahead, would shatter any ambiguity about Congress compromising on its revival campaign in UP for possible logistical needs at the Centre.
The political bazaar has lately been abuzz that Mamata Banerjee���s belligerence may push Congress to open its channels with SP.
By taking the field for Raj Babbar, Rahul would challenge the first family of SP, a prickly issue in the rulebook of heartland politics. Mulayam has pitchforked his daughter-in-law in the fray to ensure that he does not lose the Lok Sabha seat vacated by son Akhilesh who also won from Kannauj.
SP brass was forced to fall back on its apolitical ���bahu��� after it was felt that a non-Mulayam family candidate may not be able to keep community votes together. Yadavs form the overwhelming chunk in the constituency.
Congress has anyway made the Ferozabad election a fight against ���dynasty��� with Raj Babbar shrewdly telling the crowds to bring back the ���family��� if he did not deliver as their representative. Rahul���s visit would amplify the message. The SP is sure to feel the heat given that BSP too has dubbed arch rival SP as a ���family enterprise��� .
It marks a new Congress stridency in UP. During the LS polls, it tried to selectively accommodate SP despite failing to stitch an alliance. In Ferozabad, Congress fielded a Baghel candidate to dent BSP which fielded SP rebel S P Singh Baghel.
Rahul is expected to campaign on October 30 for Raj Babbar against Dimple Yadav , Mulayam���s daughter-inlaw , in a by-election . The programme , if it goes ahead, would shatter any ambiguity about Congress compromising on its revival campaign in UP for possible logistical needs at the Centre.
The political bazaar has lately been abuzz that Mamata Banerjee���s belligerence may push Congress to open its channels with SP.
By taking the field for Raj Babbar, Rahul would challenge the first family of SP, a prickly issue in the rulebook of heartland politics. Mulayam has pitchforked his daughter-in-law in the fray to ensure that he does not lose the Lok Sabha seat vacated by son Akhilesh who also won from Kannauj.
SP brass was forced to fall back on its apolitical ���bahu��� after it was felt that a non-Mulayam family candidate may not be able to keep community votes together. Yadavs form the overwhelming chunk in the constituency.
Congress has anyway made the Ferozabad election a fight against ���dynasty��� with Raj Babbar shrewdly telling the crowds to bring back the ���family��� if he did not deliver as their representative. Rahul���s visit would amplify the message. The SP is sure to feel the heat given that BSP too has dubbed arch rival SP as a ���family enterprise��� .
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It marks a new Congress stridency in UP. During the LS polls, it tried to selectively accommodate SP despite failing to stitch an alliance. In Ferozabad, Congress fielded a Baghel candidate to dent BSP which fielded SP rebel S P Singh Baghel.
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