SP announces candidates in 142 seats fo UP polls next year

25 March, Lucknow

In the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2017, the ruling Samajwadi Party today became the first party to declare candidates for 142 constituencies out of 403, sending the message loud and clear that the party means business.

It was a deft party move as it announced candidates for only those constituencies where party lost 2012 elections. It even chose those candidates who have come second or third in the previos elections. This move gives almost 12 months’ time to the candidates to prepare for the elections. “We are battle ready for 2017 polls.

The Samajwadi Party is on a firm footing as it will show case it achievements and will go to the people with its report card,” SP general secretary and PWD Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said here while releasing the candidates’ list.The 142 candidates include 26 Muslims, 18 Yadavs and 12 women. It also declared candidates for 21 Reserved constituencies.

The list is a clear indication that party means business and would not hesitate from poaching as Peace Party MLA Annisurrahman would contest election on SP ticket from Kaanth (Moradabadbad). Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Maulana Ahmad Bukhari’s son-in law Umar Ali Khan is candidate from Behat while independent MLA Vijay Singh is SP candidate from Farrukhabad.Former Minister Ambika Chaudhury, who was dropped from the ministry, will contest from Fefna in Ballia while in Lucknow east Shweta Singh will be party’s face instead of Juhi Singh who had contested last election.

Earlier the party had also given ticket to Shanwaj Rana from Mirpur in Muzaffarnagar district which was withdrawn within an hour of the announcement. Besides the party has changed the candidate from Rampur Manihar seat in Saharanpur district too. Now Ms Vimla Rakesh would be the party candidate replacing Vishwa Dayal Chotan.