Poised to tie up with RLD, BJP eyes Jat base consolidation, West UP booster in LS polls

The alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) is “almost final”, sources in the BJP said, with the Jayant Chaudhary-led party agreeing on two Lok Sabha constituencies and a Rajya Sabha seat as part of the arrangement with the NDA.

This partnership will help the BJP consolidate its base among the Jats, which are the RLD’s core base, and place it ahead in at least seven seats in West UP, where its prospects were considered grim as per ground surveys done by the party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

BJP sources said that either Chaudhary — who is a Rajya Sabha MP and the grandson of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh — or his wife Charu Singh is likely to contest from Baghpat. The seat was once considered a Chaudhary family bastion, but the BJP has been winning it since 2014. It is currently represented by the BJP’s Satya Pal Singh. Sources also indicated that the RLD might also be fielding a candidate from Bijnor.

Alongside these seats as part of the alliance pact with the BJP,

The RLD could also get one Rajya Sabha seat, sources said, adding that former Union agriculture minister Sompal Shastri is likely to be considered for it. The BJP is also looking to support the RLD with an MLC seat in the UP Assembly, sources said.

A senior BJP leader said the alliance would be announced soon.

“With Prime Minister Narendra Modi setting the target at 400 plus for the NDA, we will join hands with smaller parties in the different parts of the country,” said a senior party leader.

“The doors of the BJP are open for all its former partners,” said the leader.

As per BJP leaders, an alliance with the RLD could brighten its chances in West UP. Despite the boost the party got in the wake of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the