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UP bypoll: Ruling coalition eyes Congress legislators

Notwithstanding attempts to rope in dissident Bharatiya Janata Party legislators ahead of Monday's crucial bypoll for the lone legislative council seat in Uttar Pradesh, the ruling BJP-BSP coalition is reportedly eyeing a section of Congress legislators to get its nominee Munna Singh Chauhan elected.

The bypoll, in which Chauhan and dissident legislators' candidate Yashwant Singh are locked in battle, is seen as a virtual trial of strength for the Mayawati government.

The ruling coalition has reportedly contacted the congress MLA from Raebareli, Akhilesh Singh, who till recently was in jail charged with the killing a BJP worker, sources said.

Singh has assured the coalition of support from certain congress legislators, they said.

With the BJP still trying to rope in dissidents MLAs, a possible cross voting by them along with other rebels in the BSP, the Rashtriya Lok Dal and the BJP could put Chauhan's victory in doubt.

Besides the 10 dissident BJP MLAs, three more --- Ganga Bhakt Singh of the BJP, Jai Prakash Yadav of the BSP and the RLD's Samar Pal Singh -- are unlikely to support Chauhan.

If these 13 MLAs decide to vote against the ruling coalition's candidate, the government's strength would be reduced to 197 in a house of 402 (after the death of a Congress mla), five less than the halfway mark of 202.

With the pressure mounting on the governor to convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha, Chauhan's defeat is the last thing the government wants at this stage.

Meanwhile, Yashwant Singh has demanded the appointment of a central observer for the bypoll saying he doubted the impartial conduct of the election given the attitude of the ruling coalition.

Both the ruling and opposition camps have convened meetings of their respective legislature groups on Sunday to formulate strategies for the bypoll.

PTI

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