In Uttar Pradesh, last-minute rush before model code

Video: Why First-time Voters Are Important In This Lok Sabha Elections

The BJP’s move is aimed at keeping its allies in good humour in the run-up to the polls. Recently, both the parties had accused the BJP of ignoring its allies and had threatened to walk out of the alliance.

Both Apna Dal (S) and SBSP have a support base in non-Yadav backward castes in eastern and central UP, which explains why the BJP made most appointments from the OBC category and picked only two from upper castes.

The Apna Dal(S) leaders who have been appointed are: O P Katiyar, Rama Kant Patel, Rajendra Pal, Arvind Patel Baudhh, Rekha Verma, Ram Lakhan Patel and Ajay Pratap Singh. The first six are all from the OBC community.

The SBSP leaders who have been appointed are: Rajbhar’s son Arvind Rajbhar, Rana Ajeet Pratap Singh, Sudama Rajbhar, Sunil Arkvanshi, Radhika Patel and Mahesh Prajapati. Singh is the upper caste (Thakur) among the SBSP appointees.