BJP banks on sympathy factor

New Delhi: The BJP has decided to field its late leader Hukum Singh’s daughter, Mriganka Singh from the crucial Kairana parliamentary seat represented by him, where bypoll is scheduled for May 28. The BJP is set to again face a joint opposition after losing two key parliamentary constituencies —  Gorakhpur and Phulpur in the bypolls recently.

The BJP on Tuesday also announced the name of Avani Singh, wife of late MLA Lokendra Chauhan, who died in a road accident, as its candidate for Noorpur Assembly bypoll.

 The party also announced its nominees for three more bypolls. Elections are scheduled for May 28 and the counting of votes will occur on May 31.

In a clear indication that Opposition parties, including SP, BSP and RLD will again put up a join fight, the Ajit Singh-led RLD has fielded Taba-ssum Begam with the backing of SP. The BSP is also likely to support her. While the Congress has not made its stand clear, it enjoys little influence in these seats and may agree to support her candidature, sources said.

While Tabassum Begam, a former MP who was in the BSP before joining the SP and later switched over to the RLD,  will be depending on consolidation of Opposition votes, Ms Singh will bank on her father’s legacy.