IN JAUNPUR, BSP REPLACES WIFE OF DHANANJAY SINGH

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party on Monday replaced its candidates for Jaunpur and Basti Lok Sabha seats.

The party has replaced gangster-politician Dhananjay Singh's wife Shrikala with its sitting party MP Shyam Singh Yadav in Jaunpur. The development is being seen as a jolt to Dhananjay Singh who had walked out of the jail on bail last week. Initially, Dhananjay, a former BSP MP from Jaunpur, wanted to contest from the seat but was rendered ineligible following his conviction in a case of kidnapping and extortion.

Sources in BSP camp said the party took the decision to replace Shrikala in view of Dhananjay's growing proximity to the BJP and the buzz that he may switch sides.

Reacting to BSP decision, Dhananjay said, "It is not shocking for me as BSP has done this several times with me in the past. BSP coordinators are new and they should avoid levelling false allegations on me to justify their decision of replacing the candidates. BSP knows it well that it cannot pressurise me despite lodging several cases and sending me to jail in 2002 and 2007."

Regarding his future move, Dhananjay said it will be decided in a day or two after discussing with his supporters. "Only the candidate who enjoys my support will win (in Jaunpur)," he added.

Meanwhile, Shyam Singh Yadav filed his nomination from Jaunpur on Monday.

In Basti, BSP has replaced Dayanshankar Mishra with Lavkush Patel. Mishra had quit BJP last month after being denied a ticket and joined the BSP.