Farmers Movement Archive

Uttar Pradesh elections: Confusion in SP-RLD over fielding candidate in Maant

AGRA: Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) member Yogesh Nauhwar has refused to withdraw his candidature from the Maant seat in Mathura after being given the B-form by his party. He had filed nomination papers as a candidate of the RLD-SP alliance on Monday, but SP later allotted the ticket to party’s Sanjay Lather. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhry then asked Nauhwar to take his candidature back but the latter was adamant. Talking to TOI, Nauhwar said, “I will not withdraw my nomination, and if the party has any issues with my candidature, they can withdraw my symbol.” Nauhwar is an influential leader in the region and took part in the farmers' protests as well. In a social media post, Nauhwar stated, "Main janata ke sharan mein hoon (I have taken refuge among the people)." SP district president Lokmanikant Jadon said the seats were pre-decided. Two were supposed to be allocated to SP and three to RLD. "The confusion was created by RLD leaders only," he said. Data indicate that this constituency is dominated by Jats, as over 1 lakh voters from the community (considered to be RLD’s core vote) constitute the highest among the major castes. Brahmins, with a population of 45,000, are the second biggest group, followed by Baghel community at 40,000. Population of Thakurs and Vaishyas at 25,000 each, Muslims at 20,000, and Gurjars at 15,000. "Others" constitute 40,000 in numbers. The Maant seat has been won by Shyam Sundar Sharma eight times consecutively. In 2017 assembly elections, he won from a BSP ticket. He has been contesting from this constituency since 1989 from different parties. However, he lost in 2012 against RLD chief Chaudhry but won in the subsequent by-elections because the latter vacated his seat. So far, RLD has fielded three candidates, Tejpal Singh from Chhata, Preetam Singh from Govardhan, Babita Devi from Baldeo (SC). SP has fielded two -- ex-MLA from Sadabad Devendra Singh from Mathura (city) and Lather from Maant. However, confusion still persists in the alliance over Lather.

The Times of India

2022-01-20

Agra