PDA to face first unity test in Phagwara byelection

JALANDHAR: Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) may face its first major unity test on the issue of Phagwara byelection as both LIP and BSP are laying claims to the seat. A day after LIP MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains said his party would have first claim from among PDA partners to contest, PDA partner Mayawati-led BSP has made it clear that it is firm on contesting the byelection.

If both sides maintain their claim, it can be a major upheaval within PDA which came into existence just before the 2019 parliamentary elections.

"We have a strong support base in Phagwara and we have been getting a decent vote share from the constituency. Discussions have been held within our party and there is clarity within the party that we shall contest the election there," said BSP state president Jasbir Singh Garhi while speaking to TOI on Sunday.

Asked if the issue has been discussed with PDA partners, he said, "We shall sit with PDA partners and we hope that everybody would understand that BSP is best placed to contest the byelection with consistently in its vote share in all the elections including the parliamentary election. We are firm on contesting the bypoll and a united fight can help to defeat the Congress and SAD-BJP alliance."