Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar, a significant ally within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), disclosed on Thursday that discussions with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) regarding their inclusion in the ruling alliance in Uttar Pradesh are nearing completion. Rajbhar indicated that the RLD is likely to join the NDA fold on February 12, coinciding with the birth anniversary of late Chaudhary Ajit Singh, the party’s founder.
Rajbhar expressed confidence in the potential alliance, asserting that the Opposition bloc, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), has disintegrated, making the RLD’s collaboration with the NDA a strategic move. He emphasized that even if offered minimal seats, the RLD’s presence in the NDA would significantly impact electoral outcomes in western Uttar Pradesh.
Regarding the SBSP’s participation in the Lok Sabha polls under the NDA banner, Rajbhar stated their intention to contest three parliamentary seats, foreseeing a sweeping victory for the alliance across the state.
Political analysts view the prospective BJP-RLD alliance as mutually beneficial, particularly for the BJP’s electoral prospects in Uttar Pradesh. Ram Dutt Tripathi, a political commentator, noted the significance of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 Lok Sabha seats for the BJP’s ambitions of securing a third consecutive term at the Centre. He highlighted the absence of ideological conflicts between the BJP and the RLD, making the alliance a pragmatic choice despite potential risks to Jayant Chaudhary’s credibility.
Speculation surrounding a BJP-RLD partnership gained traction following Jayant Chaudhary’s absence during the Rajya Sabha session’s voting on the Delhi Services Bill in August 2023. The move signaled a potential departure from the Opposition’s collective stance against the BJP.
The BJP’s outreach to the RLD underscores the party’s acknowledgment of the electoral challenges in western Uttar Pradesh, as demonstrated by recent electoral setbacks. Despite the BJP’s dominance in the state, the emergence of competitive electoral dynamics in western Uttar Pradesh necessitates strategic alliances to maintain electoral supremacy.
