While his astrologer insisted, he would be the MP again, his party (BSP) chose to give Shrikala Reddy, wife of gangster-turned-politician Dhananjay Singh, the ticket from Jaunpur Lok Sabha polls. But just when the nomination process was about to end, BSP brought him back in the poll fray. Shyam Singh Yadavwho won in 2019 as SP-BSP alliance candidate, is out campaigning vigorously to reclaim his seat, and prove his astrologer right.In an interview with Rajiv Dixithe shares his election strategy. Excerpts.
Your astrologer’s prediction on your political fortune is in hot discussion
My astrologer had predicted that I would become the MP of Jaunpur again when no party was showing interest in giving me the ticket. When the candidates were decided, and I was not in the list, I contacted him again on May 5, he was still confident in his prediction. Hours later, I got a call from Behanji (Mayawati) confirming my ticket. Now, I have no reason to doubt my astrologer.
You were upset when SP denied you a ticket. You wrote a letter to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, which went viral on social media. After all this, you managed to get a BSP ticket. How come?
I was not interested in contesting the election unless SP or BSP leadership had confidence in me. Akhilesh Yadav had assured me to field me as SP candidate and I had started internal preparations but later he refused. I had lost hope and was planning to go to Mumbai when I got a surprise call from Behanji. I said I am ready if it is her wish.
BSP was being dubbed as the ‘B’ team of BJP. The belief got stronger when you were replaced with Shrikala Reddy. What is the reality?
I don’t know who uses such a term for BSP. I know I won the 2019 LS poll on a BSP ticket with the blessings of the people of Jaunpur. And, I am confident that I will win again.
Will you succeed in getting votes of Yadavs as was the case in 2019?
The SP candidate has come to Jaunpur from Banda to contest the election. Not only Yadavs, but every common man of Jaunpur has seen me working here for five years and raising issues of the district in parliament for over 40 times. The Lok Sabha speaker inducted me in seven parliamentary committees.
Will Muslim votes prefer BSP when it has no alliance with SP and the latter has fielded a candidate from this seat?
Muslim voters have remained attached with me and I tackled all their issues without any discrimination. I am fully confident of getting their votes.
Your astrologer’s prediction on your political fortune is in hot discussion
My astrologer had predicted that I would become the MP of Jaunpur again when no party was showing interest in giving me the ticket. When the candidates were decided, and I was not in the list, I contacted him again on May 5, he was still confident in his prediction. Hours later, I got a call from Behanji (Mayawati) confirming my ticket. Now, I have no reason to doubt my astrologer.
You were upset when SP denied you a ticket. You wrote a letter to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, which went viral on social media. After all this, you managed to get a BSP ticket. How come?
I was not interested in contesting the election unless SP or BSP leadership had confidence in me. Akhilesh Yadav had assured me to field me as SP candidate and I had started internal preparations but later he refused. I had lost hope and was planning to go to Mumbai when I got a surprise call from Behanji. I said I am ready if it is her wish.
BSP was being dubbed as the ‘B’ team of BJP. The belief got stronger when you were replaced with Shrikala Reddy. What is the reality?
I don’t know who uses such a term for BSP. I know I won the 2019 LS poll on a BSP ticket with the blessings of the people of Jaunpur. And, I am confident that I will win again.
Will you succeed in getting votes of Yadavs as was the case in 2019?
The SP candidate has come to Jaunpur from Banda to contest the election. Not only Yadavs, but every common man of Jaunpur has seen me working here for five years and raising issues of the district in parliament for over 40 times. The Lok Sabha speaker inducted me in seven parliamentary committees.
Will Muslim votes prefer BSP when it has no alliance with SP and the latter has fielded a candidate from this seat?
Muslim voters have remained attached with me and I tackled all their issues without any discrimination. I am fully confident of getting their votes.
