Even as the Samajwadi Party and the Congress have deployed their top leaders in the campaign for the bypolls to the 11 Assembly seats and Firozabad Lok Sabha constituency, Chief Minister Mayawati, who is the only star campaigner for the BSP, has so far avoided addressing any election meetings.

BSP sources said Mayawati is staying away from the campaign to prevent consolidation of anti-BSP votes behind any single candidate in these constituencies, as had happened in certain constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections. “The huge crowds in her election meetings often lead to polarisation of anti-BSP votes,” a party leader said.

BSP leaders, though reluctant to discuss her absence from the election campaign, claimed this would not affect the party’s prospects. “I can say she has decided not to visit any constituency where bypolls are being held. This is a policy decision of the party,” said Shiv Prasad Yadav, the BSP candidate from Bharthna.

Mahendra Singh Rajput, the BSP candidate from Etawah, said Mayawati’s decision to stay away would not affect his prospects. “Our party has good networking. Her blessings are enough for us. She has communicated her message to party supporters,” Rajput said.

S P Singh Baghel, the BSP candidate for Firozabad Lok Sabha constituency, said the low-profile BSP campaign suited the party in the bypolls.

Rural Development Minister Daddu Prasad, who is in-charge of the Lalitpur bye-election, said Mayawati’s decision “shows that our leader is more confident than those of other parties”. Another party leader said the CM had not campaigned in any of the four Assembly constituencies where bypolls were held in August and “yet the party won three seats”.

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