Phase 4 crucial for Congress
The fourth phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh where polling will take place on Sunday is crucial for the Congress.
Apart from the fact that Congress stalwarts are contesting in this phase, the party’s acceptability among minorities will also be put to test since a number of segments in this phase are dominated by Muslim population.
Farrukhabad, which goes to polls in this phase, has seen a battle of Muslim votes in the past few days since it was here that two Union ministers, Salman Khurshid and Beni Prasad Varma, allegedly violated the poll code of conduct by promising greater Muslim reservation. It would be interesting to see if their statements have had the desired impact on Muslims in constituencies like Lucknow, Farrukhabad, Rae Bareli, Hardoi and Kannauj that have a sizeable Muslim population.
The Congress faces a huge challenge in Rae Bareli and Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar (Amethi) — parts of which went to polls in the third phase. Disillusionment with sitting Congress MLAs emerged during the campaigning and Ms Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has spent over 12 days trying to counter the anti-incumbency factor against the local leadership. If the Congress can sweep Rae Bareli and Amethi once again, it will take a good lead in the final count.
For the Congress, the elections in a part of Bundelkhand in this phase will also be a litmus test. Mr Rahul Gandhi had started his UP campaign three years ago by touring Bundelkhand and the sorry state of affairs in this backward region has been an integral part of his ongoing campaign.
Bundelkhand has also been the stronghold of the BSP that won 25 out of the 56 seats in this phase. The party is facing dissidence in its ranks that has been fuelled by former minister and NRHM accused Babu Singh Kushwaha, who belongs to this region.
The SP’s prestige is also at stake in the fourth phase. Kannauj is represented in Parliament by state SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
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