Mayawati's critics join hands to weaken BSP

Lucknow, Mar. 9 (ANI): Critics and former lieutenants of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati have joined hands with the objective of derailing her poll aspirations in 2009.

They have formed an alliance called the Adhikar Manch, which would contest all 80 seats in the state.

The coalition, which started campaigning even before dates were announced, includes ex-BSP rank holder and chief of the regional party Apna Dal, Sone Lal Patel, Om Prakash Rajbhar, who led the Bhartiya Samaj Party and ex-cabinet minister R K Chaudhary, who is the sitting MLA from Mohanlalganj.

National Loktantrik Hind Party (NLHP) chief Masood also plans to contest from at least six seats. The other constituents of the Adhikar Manch include Vanchit Jamat Party, Lokpriya Samaj Party and Bhartiya Sarvodaya Party of Raja Ram Pal, former BSP state president.

"Though I was approached by the Samajwadi Party, which wanted me to contest from Ghosi, I declined the offer and decided to align with like-minded parties. My party will contest on 18 seats in Poorvanchal region of the state, for which candidates have already been finalized," Rajbhar said.

"Seat sharing between all the constituents has been finalised. It has been decided that all the alliance partners will campaign for candidates," Rajbhar added. (ANI)