BSP to go it alone in Kerala

Kozhikode, Mar 23 (UNI) Ruling out an alliance with any political formation, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Kerala today said it would go alone and field candidates in all the 140 constitutencies in the coming assembly polls in the state.

Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had directed the state unit to contest all the seats, coordinator of party affairs in Kerala-Tamil Nadu-Pondicherry Suresh Mane told reporters here.

He said the party had convened a working committee meeting at Kollam on March 26 to formulate its election strategies.

Ms Mayawati would address the meet on March 26, he said adding that she would also monitor the progress of electioneering in the state.

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (United) today announced its decision to contest from 20 constitencies.

Addressing a press conference, JD (U) state unit president A S Radhakrishan said the party had forged an understanding with the BJP to face the electoral battle together.

The 20 seats are Aryanad, Thiruvanthampuram West, Karunagapalli, Iravipuram, Thiruvalla, Pala, Kaduthuruthi, Idukki, Mattancheri, Palluruthi, Aroor, Manaloor, Thrissur, Aalathur, Chittoor, Kondotty, Kozhikode-II, Koduvalli, Kalpetta and Payyannur.

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