Trouble for BJP as allies differ on ‘quota within quota’ in UP

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 23

In UP, the BJP is not just battling strong Opposition parties — the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party combine and Congress, but also a report favouring “quota within quota”.

It has become an issue with NDA allies clamouring for a bigger and better share in the pie. One sulking partner, the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), is seeking its implementation while the other, an equally unhappy Apna Dal, is vehemently opposed to it.

For the BJP, the report is virtually “Pandora’s box, the opening of which the party cannot risk ahead of the General Election”. Saffron leaders, however, also say that “everything is on track in UP. The two NDA allies are merely posturing as is expected by any party before seat settlement for a larger share and adjustment of their people in various state commissions and corporations”.

But, SBSP chief OP Rajbhar is all over town, claiming that he would be taking a final call on whether to stay or leave the NDA on February 24. 

Likewise, there have been reports of Apna Dal leaders, Union Minister Anupriya Singh Patel and party chief Ashish Patel, touching base with Congress’ newly-anointed general secretary in-charge of UP East — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The Apna Dal too has called a meeting on February 28 “to decide on its future with the BJP-led NDA”.