The trouble between the Samajwadi Party and its ally, Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) has been ironed out, said party chief Pallavi Patel, who will now contest against Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya from Sirathu, in Kaushambi district of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Brushing off the delay about the announcement, Ms Patel -- who will contest under the Samajwadi Party banner -- told NDTV that it was just a "miscommunication" and the matter has been sorted at her meeting with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today.
"As I said earlier, there was miscommunication. But we have spoken... and the matter has been resolved to our satisfaction… Tomorrow I will file my nomination against Keshav Maurya," Ms Patel told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
Sources told NDTV that the differences were over seat division. The Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) was promised seven seats when the alliance was formed. But later, the Samajwadi Party announced candidates on at least three seats promised to them.
Today, Akhilesh Yadav promised that they will be given six seats, sources said.
For the Samajwadi Party, which is the main challenger of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, the alliance is crucial, with Mr Yadav trying to weave a seamless net with smaller OBC-based parties across the key regions of the state.
The party is hoping that these seats will help deliver the 30 per cent-plus votes that are needed to have a realistic chance to win the elections.
Both factions of Apna Dal have a sizeable support base in the Kurmi community in the Varanasi-Mirzapur region, Bundelkhand and in some of the districts of central Uttar Pradesh.
Asked how difficult this campaign would be for her, in view of the fact that her sister Anupriya Patel will be at the side of Keshav Maurya, Ms Patel said, "The situation is such now that even the Chief Minister has to hunt for a niche. So whether it is Sirathu or any other place, the contest will be based on issues. The issues we are fighting for are very important. We are talking of unemployment, security, education, caste, health, census. The voters are now extremely aware and know which way they should go".
Pallavi Patel's sister Anupriya Patel heads Apna Dal (Sonelal), which is the ally of the BJP at the state and the Centre. Anupriya Patel is a minister in Narendra Modi's government.
"Anupriya may be with BJP, but with me is my mother Krishna Patel… My mother is with me, so I do not need anyone," added Ms Patel, whose faction of the party is in tussle with her sister for the legacy of their father Sonelal Patel, who formed the party in 1995.
Asked how big a challenge is it to face the Deputy Chief Minister, Ms Patel said, "I believe before it is a high profile seat, it is my home. It is my marital home and people there, even the children, have given me a lot of respect. I believe the people there will take a decision after taking into account all the facts and the current situation".
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