Mulayam Singh Yadav changes over a dozen MP candidates before polls

Lucknow, Nov 28: Just before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it looks like a lot of Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs are turning hostile towards the party, which is supposedly BJP's biggest rival in Uttar Pradesh.

Even though the SP had declared its candidates on almost all parliamentary seats three months ago, party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has so far changed at least a dozen candidates.

He cancelled the candidature of Dayashankat Verma from Janaun seat on Tuesday and decided to repeat sitting MP from there, Ghanshayam Anuragi. Anuragi was initially denied ticket allegedly because he had lost ground in the constituency because of his elusiveness. A day before, K.P. Yadav, party candidate from Jaunpur was replaced by Parasnath Yadav, minister of animal husbandry, reported India Today.

Sources in the Samajwadi Party told Mail Today that the replaced candidates were involved in hobnobbing with the leaders of the rival parties.

Earlier, SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav had cancelled the candidature of four party candidates.

"The SP government has created a situation in the state where nothing is left for a candidate to bank upon in the elections," said Sompal Singh.

But Rajendra Chaudhary, Spokesperson of the Uttar Pradesh unit of the SP said: "It is a routine exercise. We replace those candidates who are not in a position to win. There are 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state and we want to have only winnable candidates."

In Lucknow

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav addresses a party meeting in the view of Lok Sabha elections, at party office in Lucknow on Monday.

In Lucknow

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav with Rajesh Ranjan Yadav alias Pappu Yadav at the release of his autobiography at a function in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In Lucknow

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Congress leader Digvijay Singh and LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan release the autobiography of former MP Rajesh Ranjan Yadav alias Pappu Yadav (2nd R) at a function in New Delhi on Wednesday. Pappu Yadav's wife Ranjita is also seen.

In Lucknow

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Congress leader Digvijay Singh at the release of the autobiography of former MP Rajesh Ranjan Yadav alias Pappu Yadav at a function in New Delhi on Wednesday.

In Lucknow

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav (C) CM Akhuilesh Yadav (L) senior leader Azam Khan during Safai Mazdoor Rally in Lucknow on Tuesday.

In Lucknow

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav with UP CM Akhilesh Yadav and senior leader Azam Khan during a party meeting in the view of Lok Sabha elections, at party office in Lucknow on Monday.

OneIndia News