SP puts ‘quit to contest’ clause

However,in spite of the announcement,many MLAs are keen to contest and more than 20 have applied for a party ticket.

In Unnao,four MLAs — Deepak Kumar,Udairaj Yadav,Kuldeep Sengar and Badloo Khan — applied for ticket for Unnao Lok Sabha seat. In Faizabad,MLA Mitrasen Yadav wants to contest for the Lok Sabha; he has been MP in the past also.

MLC Akshay Pratap Singh wants to contest from Pratapgarh while Bhagwan Sharman alias Guddu Pandit is eyeing Bulandshaher. Ramgopal Rawat,MLA from Zaidpur,is an aspirant for Barabanki. Rajmati Nishad,MLA from Pipraich,is keen to contest from Gorakhpur. There are many more.

Some of the MLAs want Lok Sabha ticket for their relatives. Cabinet minister Ahmed Hasan’s son Hamid Hasan is a strong contender for Ambedkarnagar,while Horticulture Minister Rajkishore Singh’s brother Dimple Singh wants to contest from Basti seat.

History sheeter Abhay Singh,MLA from Gosainganj,wants the ticket for his father Bhagwan Singh from Faizabad or Ambedkarnagar. Ram Magan Rawat,MLA from Haidergarh,is also lobbying for his father Ram Sagar Rawat. Minister Waqar Shah’s wife Rubab Saeeda wants to contest from Shravasti. His son Yaser Shah is MLA from Matera. Minister Anand Singh’s son Kirtivardhan Singh is a claimant for Gonda Lok Sabha seat.

The SP leadership has taken a stand against lobbying,saying they will stick to norms and the set procedure. It has been announced that tickets will be given on the basis of the observer’s report,followed by interview,and the recommendation of the central parliamentary board.

“We are following a democratic method where the workers will be taken into confidence in decision-making. The SP does not believes in lobbying or pressure tactics. All are bound to accept the decision of the party,” said SP spokesperson Rajendra Choudhary.

However,many in the party don’t attach much importance to procedure. Memories of ticket distribution for the Assembly elections are still fresh in their minds.

“The party declared tickets well in advance,only to change one-fourth of them later. Some of these were changed several times before the poll. Proximity to party leaders and nepotism weighed heavily during the Assembly election,” said an MLA.