Suspension of five MLAs leaves SP wanting before block pramukh polls

As a result of the action, the party now finds itself in a thick situation as it does not have an active unit in Sitapur to support candidates, who, above all, are yet to be finalised with only a fortnight left to go for the polling for 819 block pramukh posts across the state. Sitapur, with 19 such posts, poses a tough challenge for the ruling party which lacks an organisational understanding for the district.

The post of a block pramukh, elected by members of Block Development Council, commands a significant hold over the rural populace as each block has nearly 50 villages under it. The position also means several crores of government funds are at its disposal for development work. The task becomes easier with the support of local legislators and party unit. But one legislator cannot extend his clout beyond the constituency he represents.

“These things are beyond my control. The party will decide about it (elections) and candidates have not yet been declared,” said minister of state Narendra Verma, the only other remaining SP legislator from Sitapur, besides Rampal Rajvanshi, also an MoS.

When reminded of the dissolved district unit, Verma remarked: “What can we say, everything has to be decided by the party (leadership).”
Those suspended, on the other hand, even claim to have “slowed down” their attempt to get their suspension revoked and are waiting for the February elections to get over. “It is better to rejoin the party after the block pramukh polls. Otherwise we will have to again support the party candidate and even if the candidate loses or there is any adverse result, we will have to face the action again,” one of the suspended MLAs said on the condition of anonymity.

As for the ruling party, preparations for the elections are thick and far. Incidentally, the suspended legislators had, for the coming polls, shortlisted 42 aspirants. The SP, while inviting fresh applications to be party’s candidate, allowed the shortlisted 42 to appear for the interview. A final call is likely to be taken on January 30 after the interview. The delay may cost the candidates in the polls as most of the BDCs who form the electorate may have already been poached by other candidates.