BSP selects candidates for 65 seats

BSP president Mayawati may blow hot and cold over her alliance with the Congress in UP, but it has not stopped her from finalising her party8217;s list of candidates from the state. Sources said Mayawati has already selected her candidates for at least 65 Lok Sabha constituencies seats and has informed the nominees.

But she has left a window open for any negotiations with the Congress or any other potential ally, by leaving at least 15 Lok Sabha seats uncontested. Even today at her Patna rally, Mayawati threw a bait at the Congress. While she ranted against the 8216;8216;manuwadi8217;8217; Congress and 8216;8216;its inability to transfer votes to the BSP,8217;8217; Mayawati added: 8216;8216;We will go it alone only if a fruitful electoral arrangement is not evolved.8217;8217;

The bad news for the Congress is that not only has Mayawati left a meagre 15 seats for the party if they strike an alliance, but she has also put up candidates in almost all the current Congress-held seats. The Congress, which now has nine seats from UP, will have to face BSP candidates.

8216;8216;It is unlikely she will revoke the seats even if she enters into an alliance with the Congress,8217;8217; says a party source. But Mayawati has left out Amethi and Rae Bareilly, the Gandhi family8217;s home turf. Neither has she put up candidates as yet in key seats, including the PM8217;s Lucknow constituency.