With barely less than 24 hours left, Uttar Pradesh has been witnessing eleventh hour hectic lobbying for Rajya Sabha polls with all major political players—BJP, BSP, SP and Congress—are trying hard to keep their folk together through dinner diplomacy and other means of persuasion. Some senior leaders of all the four parties are camping in Lucknow to deal with apprehensions of cross voting.
In a small solace for the SP, its rebel leader and younger brother of Mulayam Singh, Shivpal Yadav has attended a dinner party hosted by former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow; this has given some strength to SP’s lobbying efforts. Not only this, the independent MLA from Kunda, Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhiyya, too, was seen in Akhilesh’s bash. Shvipal ensured there, “my vote is with the SP.” Akhilesh’s wife Dimple was also present. The whole morning on Wednesday, Akhilesh was busy holding meeting with his MLAs and giving the, directions in this connection.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, too, has not been leaving any stone unturned to ensure the victory of the BJP candidates. He, too, held a marathon meeting with BJP leaders at his residence on Wednesday. The presence of Om Prakash Rajbhar at the meeting has emboldened the spirits of the BJP. Rajbhar has softened his stand after his initial rebellious attitude. The victory of eight BJP candidates are almost certain depending on their strength in the UP Assembly; the tug of war between various political parties is for the ninth and the tenth candidates.
On Yogi’s directives a mock poll exercise, too, was done to make the newly elected MLAs understand the voting procedure. On this occasion Yogi exhorted his leaders to exercise much caution while voting. He also asked his ministers and MLAs not to leave Lucknow till the polling is over on March 23.
The BSP chief also has resorted to dinner diplomacy to keep her folks together. On Wednesday, all the BSP MLAs were convened at BSP leader Uma Shanker's place for dinner where Mayawati’s message was delivered to them. On Thursday, Mayawati is personally hosting a dinner in Lucknow, where she will hold meeting with her partymen in this connection. In Rajya Sabha, BSP's Bhimrao Ambedkar is a nominee.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders like Sanjay Singh Raj Babbar, P.L. Punia are reaching Lucknow on Thursday for last minute briefing to the Congress MLAs and MLCs. Senior party leader Pramod Tiwari has been made the observer for the RS polls. The Congress has categorically said that their leaders will vote in favour of the BSP.