To consolidate Samajwadi Party’s hold over the Poorvanchal, Mulayam Singh Yadav will contest from Azamgarh as well as the family citadel of Mainpuri, a seat he currently holds.
The move is also believed to be guided by the intent to counter the increasing appeal of Narendra Modi. Modi’s candidature has been declared from Varanasi, in the heart of Poorvanchal, a region comprising eastern UP and western Bihar. There are 27 seats in Poorvanchal.
“Because of the demand raised by party leaders and workers, the SP chief will contest from both Azamgarh and Mainpuri seats,” SP National General Secretary Ramgopal Yadav said. The SP had earlier declared UP Cabinet Minister Balram Yadav as the party’s candidate from Azamgarh, which has a sizable number of Muslim and Yadav population. But Balram Yadav was believed to have been reluctant. News of Mulayam’s candidature from Azamgarh sent distress signals in the BJP camp.