The Triangular Contests

what narrative the Opposition weaves, it is going to be a one-sided outcome in the BJP’s favour,” he says.

In Kairana, the SP has fielded the London-returned Iqra Hasan, daughter of the late ex-MP Munawwar Hasan, against sitting BJP MP Pradeep Chaudhary. In tune with her Master’s from the School of Oriental and African Studies, Iqra has an urbane approach, focusing on higher education and industry. Akhilesh hopes her appeal transcends the confines of community, and signs are he may be right. Moreover, the BSP has fielded ex-serviceman Sripal Rana, a Thakur candidate who could blunt any saffron edge. The Thakurs, a traditional BJP vote base, are upset that barring Sarvesh Kumar Singh in Moradabad, the party has not given adequate representation to their brethren this time in western UP. Similarly, the Tyagis are upset that they haven’t got any tickets.

‘Rajput samman (pride)’, in fact, has been hurting for a while now. They accuse the BJP of “sidelining the Rajputs”. On April 7, members of the community held a massive mahapanchayat in the Nanauta area of Saharanpur. The party’s decision to replace Gen. V.K. Singh (retd) with Atul Kumar Garg in Ghaziabad triggered outrage and several local Thakur biggies were heard airing the complaint that “10 per cent” of western UP had got just “one ticket”. The Tyagi and Saini communities have also been holding panchayats in many places. Former BJP member Shrikant Tyagi, who has had a few run-ins with the law and now heads a community outfit, has announced that his supporters will vote for the candidate strong enough to defeat the BJP. Party sources say CM Yogi and Union defence minister Ra