New Delhi:
BSP on Saturday announced its third list of candidates for 100 more Assembly seats, thereby declaring nominees for 300 of the 403 seats, bring the number of Muslims aspirants to 79 in the three lists.
While BSP’s first list of 100 candidates released on Thursday contained names of 36 Muslim candidates, Friday’s list had names of 22 aspirants from the community that accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the state’s electorate. Saturday’s list has 21 Muslim names.
The party has already shortlisted names of candidates for all the 403 seats, BSP supremo Mayawati had told a press conference earlier.
Giving caste-wise details of the shortlisted candidates, she had said 87 tickets will be given to Dalits, 97 to Muslims and 106 to OBCs.
Of the 113 tickets earmarked for upper castes, Brahmins will get 66, Kshatriyas 36 and Kayasthas, Vaishyas and Punjabi 11, she had said.
The BSP chief had said she had finalised the names of candidates long ago and there will be no change in it.
Divided Muslim votes translate to gains for BJP, while a consolidation will change the poll arithmetic as minorities play a crucial role in at least 125 of 403 constituencies.
Also read:
Uttar Pradesh elections: Mayawati releases first list of 100 BSP candidates
Uttar Pradesh elections 2017: Mayawati releases second list of 100 BSP candidates
Video: BSP Supremo Mayawati declares two-day long party meet open, takes jibe at SP
