The BJP has bought nine nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh but has not announced its candidates. The Samajwadi Party has named two candidates and has not yet disclosed its third nominee.
The delay has intensified speculation over the BJP's strategy. The party has not said how many candidates it will field or identified them officially.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has claimed that 25 Samajwadi Party legislators are in contact with the BJP. He has also said the BJP, rather than the Samajwadi Party, will deliver the surprise.
The report says the BJP may be waiting to see whether the Samajwadi Party fields a third candidate. If it does not, the BJP's path to an eighth seat could become easier, according to the report. It also says the party may be working to secure the numbers needed before revealing its candidates.
Seat arithmetic
Elections are due for 10 Rajya Sabha seats. The BJP previously held eight, while the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party held one each.
According to the report's assessment, the BJP can comfortably win 7 seats and may manage an eighth through second-preference votes. The Samajwadi Party is described as capable of winning 2 seats. The report also refers to the main contest as being between the BJP and Congress, creating an inconsistency with its separate assessment of the Samajwadi Party's prospects.
