The Samajwadi Party's decision to field only three candidates in the city has fuelled speculations that it has struck deals with various candidates. Though SP had initially fielded five candidates, it cancelled North-West candidate Kamaal Khan's nomination, which was followed by its North-East candidate Rais Shaikh pulling out of the race.
Theories have started doing rounds that the SP is playing a role akin to the MNS – cornering votes and helping a particular candidate win the polls. An SP spokesperson denied the speculation of any underhand deals, but the fact remains that the party's withdrawals are surrounded in mystery.
In Khan's case, the party revoked his nominations over alleged sexist tweets, despite Khan making it clear to party leaders that the posts were old and made from a parody account. Surprisingly, he himself had hardly stepped out to campaign in his constituency. Khan's so-called replacement Urvashi Dholakia could not file her nomination in time. It is believed that the move to keep Khan out of the race was to help the Congress candidate as MNS will eat into Sena votes.
Rais Shaikh's withdrawal seemed there was more to it than meets the eye. His justification was that he won't be able to win as he is a first-time corporator. SP spokesperson in the city Abdul Kadir Chaudhury said, "There are no underhand deals. We withdrew Shaikh's candidature after realising that with Medha Patkar in the race, it could have just led to a split in secular votes and indirectly helped BJP candidate Kirit Somaiya."
The party has fielded ex-corporator Kamlesh Yadav in Mumbai North despite Yadav not making an impact in the last Lok Sabha elections. Yadav is bent upon defeating Nirupam due to his personal animosity – after he was denied a chance to contest the BMC elections on a Congress ticket.
When asked about not fielding anyone from Mumbai South, party state president Abu Asim Azmi cited unavailability of a strong candidate.
Azmi said he fielded a candidate in South-Central, where BJP's Rahul Shewale is in the fray, because he wanted to spoil the chances of Congress man Eknath Gaikwad, who he said is not secular. Apparently, Shewale is the chairman of BMC's all-powerful standing committee that awards several contracts.
"We have to see where we have a vote bank. Also, a candidate needs to have financial strength. We have fielded candidates after taking into account these factors," he added.
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