Mulayam predicts mid-term polls in state by 2011-end

“He told us that the Assembly polls may be held by the end of 2011 and asked us to get ready for mid-term polls,” said a highly placed source with the SP. Incidentally,it was only a few days ago that the SP began the process of selection of its candidates for the Assembly polls.

In accordance with the party’s plan,the names of candidates for the Assembly seats would be decided before the end of 2010. The party has made available the forms for ticket aspirants.

“This indicates that the party seriously considers the possibility of mid-term polls in the state,” an SP leader said.

Partymen are not surprised by Mulayam’s prediction of mid-term polls in the state. The Congress and the BSP are already in a race to politically counter each other at the ground level,said the SP leader. While the Congress has undertaken its biggest mobilisation programme at the Assembly level in the name of yatras,the BSP is all set to hold demonstrations against the Women’s Reservation Bill and price rise to reach voters in every Assembly constituency after May 22,the leader added.

The SP has decided to hold Assembly-wise meetings. “We discussed the strategies for the success of our meetings in Assembly constituencies,” said SP vice-president B B Tewari.

The SP had,meanwhile,called the meeting of its state executive committee to discuss the party’s preparation for the bandh call given by 13 parties,including SP and RLD,against price rise on April 27.

“The party has been isolated at the national level,particularly after its opposition to the Women’s Bill. So,this (bandh) is an opportunity for it to show its political strength in the state and exert pressure on Left parties to reconsider their stand on the Bill,” the source added.

Later,a press release issued by the SP claimed the leaders of Left parties have assured the SP of reconsidering their stand on the Women’s Bill.

The SP plans to hold a meeting of backward castes in Kanpur on Monday. Party state president Akhilesh Yadav and national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav are expected to be part of the meet.

The SP plans to hold a conference of party workers of the Agra division in Agra. “The tentative date for the conference is May 10,” said a source.