The Anna impact has given the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party cause for worry in Uttar Pradesh where elections are only a few months away.
The Congress is worried that social activist Anna Hazare’s popularity in the country could dent its image in UP where Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has been working hard to revive the party.
The corruption cases in the UPA government could tarnish the party’s efforts to retrieve lost ground.
The BSP, on the other hand, is worried that reports of corruption in the Mayawati government could cause damage in the urban areas, particularly among the middle class. According to a senior Congress leader who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Anna episode has “put the clock back for us in UP and we will have to work with renewed vigor to regain lost ground.”
Meanwhile, the BSP is treading very cautiously on the Anna issue and does not want to be seen opposing his campaign. Party feels that maintain a safe distance from Anna would be the safest option.