After projecting a Brahmin chief ministerial candidate in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Congress leaders are suggesting that the party project two deputy chief ministers – one minority candidate and another non-Yadav OBC.
Reports from UP indicate that the party is in “discussion among the people”, but it is not in a position to damage the BJP, the Samajwadi Party and the BSP. This can only be possible if one of the castes stands behind it openly.
Minorities will vote for the party only if one caste or a combination of castes back the Congress. And this will be possible if the Congress projects two deputy CMs, one from western Uttar Pradesh and another from the east. This can attract minorities and non-Yadav OBCs.
“Congress charcha me aa rahi hain agar wah do deputy CMs ghoshit kare to naya combination banega (If Congress announces two deputy CMs, a new combination will arise),” say insiders.
While the BJP is finding it difficult to announce a CM candidate, the ruling Samajwadi Party has not expanded its support base yet besides facing anti-incumbency.
The Mayawati-led BSP is relying on the Dalit-Muslim combination to win the elections.
Ms Mayawati has been known as a strong chief minister who had controlled the law and order situation effectively.
The public will likely want a strong administration which can check anti-social elements rather than focus on development.
If the Congress plays the two deputy CM card, then it can mount pressure on all the three players – BJP, SP and BSP.
Ms Sheila Dikshit’s projection as the Congress CM has already cautioned the BJP, which is stressing more on backward castes.
Besides, the upper castes in the state still feel neglected even after the BJP has come to power at the Centre.
Ideally, a BSP-Congress alliance would have worked effectively at the ground level. But Ms Mayawati has a history of allying with the BJP post polls to come to power. Meanwhile, the Congress has indicated that Ms Priyanka Gandhi will not be attending the Lucknow meeting being held on July 29.
