New Delhi: The North is very important when it comes to electoral alliances. The most populous state of Uttar Pradesh always throws up interesting political alliances. But, nothing stays permanent.
Alliances matter even in neighbouring Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.
Uttar Pradesh:
India's most populous state has 80 Lok Sabha seats. The ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) led by Mulayam Singh Yadav is facing an uphill task in the coming Lok Sabha polls. The main opposition BSP led by Mayawati is confident of retaining its strength and relevance. The Congress which surprisingly came second in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls is facing a huge challenge this time. Most poll surveys predict a rout of the Congress this time.
The BJP is hoping to stage an impressive come back in the state. According to most pre-poll surveys the BJP is expected to win more than 40 Lok Sabha seats. Some even predict that it will cross 50 seats.
The RLD led by Ajit Singh which has a strong presence in the Western UP is facing the biggest challenge in decades. Communal riots in and around Muzaffarnagar seem to have turned the situation in favour of the BJP. Some analysts feel that the Jats, who are the main backers of the RLD, may opt for the BJP this time.
If no major political alliance is forged before the Lok Sabha polls, the state will see a four cornered contest in most parts of the state.
Alliances in Lok Sabha 2014
Congress-RLD
SP is a Third Front partner and may give one or two seats to the Left.
BSP
BJP and some other smaller parties
RJD, LJP etc are fringe forces in UP
Haryana
The ruling Congress may not be able to repeat the 2009 record. The new kid on the block AAP is making inroads into the Congress votes in the state. The main opposition INLD of the Chautalas may not be able to join any alliance. The BJP is going with Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) of Kuldip Bishnoi. However, the INLD has hinted that it can back the BJP after Lok Sabha polls.
Alliances in Lok Sabha 2014
Congress
INLD
BJP-HJC
AAP
Punjab
The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP alliance is strong. The same alliance will continue in the Lok Sabha polls. The People's Party of Punjab (PPP) led by CM Prakash Singh Badal's nephew Manpreet Badal has already tied up with the Congress. The CPM may contest in Faridkot Lok Sabha seat. The AAP is also in the race and expected to dent the prospects of both SAD-BJP and Congress alliances.
Alliances in Lok Sabha 2014
SAD-BJP
Congress-PPP
AAP
Jammu & Kashmir
The ruling National Conference-Congress alliance is on shaky grounds. There are even talks of them ending the ties before the Lok Sabha polls. The PDP and the BJP are contesting on their own. The National Panthers Party can go with the BJP.
Alliances in Lok Sabha 2014
NC-Congress
PDP
BJP may enter into an alliance with National Panthers Party
Himachal Pradesh
HP has just 4 Lok Sabha seats and the ruling Congress and BJP face each other in a direct fight.
Alliances in Lok Sabha 2014
No alliances
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has 5 Lok Sabha seats. The ruling Congress has the backing of 3 BSP, 3 Independent and 1 Uttarakhand Kranti Dal MLAs support. The same alliance is likely to stay in the Lok Sabha polls. The main opposition BJP is also contesting on its own.
Alliances in Lok Sabha 2014
No alliances
Delhi:
Delhi has 7 Lok Sabha seats and has seen a contest between Congress and BJP. But with AAP's spectacular show in Assembly elections and Congress's rout, the state is likely to see a direct fight between the Arvind Kejriwal party and BJP.
Alliances in Lok Sabha 2014
No alliances
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