Modi’s biggest test which is the regional elections in Uttar Pradesh is getting more intense with Congress publishing their list of nominees. This time Congress has given maximum representation to Dalits, Muslims and upper castes. The party released a list of 11 candidates, taking the total to 107. The leaders are in contnious talks with their ally Samajwadi Party to avoid a “friendly contest”. The Samajwadi party has offered the Congress 105 seats.
In UP where caste considerations play an important factor during the time of elections, Dalits have the most nomination from Congress. The Congress has chosen 18 of its dalit candidates from the sub-castes, including valmiki, Pasi, Dhobi , katheria, kori,Dusadh and Jatavas. The Congress has fielded 19 Muslims and some upper caste leaders such as Rajesh Kumar Mishra, Ajay Rai and Laliteshpathi Tripathi, even as there is considerable opposition to the re-nomination of Anil Srivastav from Varanasi Cantonment seat despite him loosing the seat thrice.