Ghosi bypoll to see first INDIA bloc-BJP clash in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi bypoll is a major showdown between BJP and INDIA bloc, with leaders of both sides campaigning for their candidates. SP, Congress, Left parties, AAP, and NDA allies are all involved. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is actively involved in INDIA alliance activities. A win for SP will strengthen Yadav's position and role in INDIA alliance, and seal his candidature for leading bloc in politically important UP. Bypoll on Sep 5, counting on Sep 8.

The stage is set for the first electoral showdown between the BJP and an INDIA bloc constituent in Uttar Pradesh, with leaders of both sides going all out to drum up support for their candidates for the September 5 Ghosi assembly bypoll.

The Congress and the Left parties have not only extended support to the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate but are also campaigning for him, in accordance with the spirit of the new Opposition togetherness ahead of next year's general election.

Though not a major force in Uttar Pradesh, Arvind Kejriwal's AAP is also drumming up support for the SP nominee.

The BJP's Dara Singh Chauhan, the sitting MLA who crossed over to the saffron party from the SP and resigned from the seat, is seeking re-election. The SP has fielded Sudhakar Singh.

Singh has got support from the Congress, the CPI(M) and the CPI(ML)-Liberation.

Interestingly, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who had given campaigning for the other two prestigious bypolls in the Rampur and the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seats last year a miss, addressed an election meeting in Ghosi.

He had said this election would bring a change in the country's politics.