Lucknow, 22 Oct (HS): As the Uttar Pradesh Assembly

elections draw closer, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has begun strengthening its

strategic base in Rohilkhand. The proposed meeting between SP chief Akhilesh

Yadav and senior party leader Azam Khan in Rampur jail is being seen as more

than a mere courtesy call, but rather as a precursor to ticket selection and

strategic discussions for the upcoming elections.

Azam Khan's political influence has always been significant

in most of the Rohilkhand constituencies. His input is considered crucial in

strengthening the organization's grassroots presence, particularly in Bareilly

city and its surrounding areas. In the last Assembly elections, the SP

performed well in the Bareilly division, winning three seats in Badaun and two

in Bareilly (Bhojpura and Baheri). In the 2022 Assembly elections, the former

mayor of Bareilly Cantt gave the BJP a tough fight, establishing a strong base

for the party. The margin of defeat here was only 10,000 votes. The BJP had

never held this seat before 2012. Similarly, equations are being explored on

other seats also.

Political arithmetic changed with the former MP joining the

Samajwadi Party: The political arithmetic of the region has changed after

former MP Dharmendra Kashyap recently joined the Samajwadi Party. Along with

him, two former MLAs from Badaun, Kushagra Sagar and Sinod Shakya, are also

going to join the SP. The party is now planning to move forward by maintaining

the Muslim vote bank and by establishing better coordination with Hindu

leaders. Under this new equation, the SP is also working on a strategy to try

Hindu candidates in some key seats in the city and surrounding areas.

Azam Khan's influence and candidate selection: Political

experts believe that Akhilesh Yadav's meeting with Azam Khan wasn't limited to

simply gauging the goings-on. In this final phase of election management, the

two leaders are likely to have a deep discussion about candidate selection.

Several seats in the Moradabad and Bareilly divisions have numerous contenders

vying for a single ticket, so Azam Khan's advice could play a decisive role in

deciding the candidate.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi