With the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) deciding to contest all 288 seats for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls on its own, most party leaders believe that the present situation in the state suits their political agenda.

“The BSP always favours a multi-cornered contest in the Assembly elections. While BJP has no strong political base in Maharashtra, its ally Shiv Sena is facing tough time in the wake of the growth of Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena,” said a senior BSP leader.

The party will give a final shape to its list of candidates by September 15.

More significant from the BSP point of view are reports that RPI factions are likely to contest the elections jointly this time.

“In case the RPI factions join hands, the BSP’s agenda is to expose them,” the source added.

The BSP has directed leaders involved with Maharashtra affairs to project the party as the only force that can revive the Ambedkar movement in the state.

“As per our information, there have been over 1,500 cases of Dalit atrocities under the present regime and the party will make it an issue in the elections,” said a leader.

The BSP leadership has asked its prominent leaders to camp in Mumbai and help the party’s Maharashtra unit for the polls.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mayawati and Bhajan Lal, the former chief minister of Haryana, will address a joint election rally in Haryana’s Jind district on September 20 in connection with the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.