Horse trading appears inevitable in tomorrow's Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council biennial polls for 12 seats with key parties fielding extra candidates expecting cross voting by MLAs.
The decision by ruling Samajwadi Party, BJP and BSP to field an extra candidate each has put pressure on all parties, not only to ensure victory of their nominees, but also to keep their flock of MLAs intact.
Though SP has been assured of support of 28 Congress MLAs with a whip being issued in this regard, its main task is to keep its team together.
Top SP leadership, including party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and national General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav are camping in the state capital, keeping a close tab on the movement of its MLAs.
SP is keeping a special watch on those party MLAs who are rumoured to have been promised tickets by BJP for the 2017 Assembly polls.
So much so, SP organised lunch and dinner meetings to keep its MLAs in good humour.
At the luncheon meeting yesterday, SP legislators were asked to remain present during voting and ensure victory of all its eight candidates.
Though SP with 230 MLAs is expected to have a smooth sailing in seven seats, it has fielded an additional candidate keeping in mind the 13 surplus votes.
The state Assembly has 403 members and first preference votes of 31 MLAs would be needed to ensure victory of one candidate for the Upper House.
With the support of 28 Congress MLAs, SP hopes its nominee for the additional seat will emerge victorious.
