SP meet today to review list of LS poll candidates

The state executive of the Samajwadi Party is meeting here on Thursday to review the list of 63 party candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. Sources said there was possibility of some changes being made in the list.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will chair the meeting while SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav and national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav will also be present.

After declaration of the list in November, the choice of candidates was questioned by partymen in many constituencies. Amid reports of resentment among party cadres, SP leaders developed cold feet. The recently-concluded meet of district and city unit presidents of the party on January 9, too showed that several candidates are on a sticky wicket.

During the state executive meeting, analysis of the strength of the party candidates will be the top of the agenda. SP high command has collected inputs from districts level and feedback in personal discussion with their local leaders.

Among the candidates who may be changed is Arun Kumar Shukla alias Anna from Unnao. Anna has reportedly failed to win the confidence of the local party units. From Agra, Mulayam Singh has received representations against Maharaj Singh Dhangar who too has not "clicked" with the local leaders. Others who may be changed are Faizabad candidate Tilak Ram Verma, and Shakeel Ahmed in Sultanpur. Party sources said that the candidates for most of the remaining 17 seats had been finalised and may be announced soon.

The state executive will also attend to the fissures which have developed in the party due to multiplicity of aspirants for the zila panchayat by-elections. At some places, SP leaders have filed nominations against official candidates, defying the party directive. In Lucknow and Chitrakoot, party leaders have been expelled over this issue.

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