Uttar Pradesh: Small Parties Pitch Themselves as Game Changers for 2019

Small parties in Uttar Pradesh are presenting themselves as possible “game changers” in the 2019 Lok Sabha contest between the BJP and the opposition. Such parties often help allies in assembly elections by transferring their committed voters, but have historically made less of a mark in Lok Sabha polls.

Who is in the fray

The NISHAD Party, the Peace Party, the Apna Dal (Sonelal), the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and the AIMIM are all offering themselves as allies. They expect to get few seats, but argue that in close races the votes they bring could decide the outcome.

The NISHAD Party, formed in 2016 to empower communities such as boatmen and fishermen who depend on rivers, was founded by Sanjay Nishad, a former BSP member. Its UP in-charge said it was seeking five to six seats.

Allies of the BJP

Some small parties are working with the BJP. Apna Dal (Sonelal), whose leader Anupriya Patel is a Union minister, has been allied with the BJP since 2007, when founder Sonelal Patel led the party, spokesperson Arvind Sharma said, adding that it would fight 2019 alongside the BJP. The SBSP, also a BJP ally, wants to make its presence felt; spokesperson Arun Rajbhar said it would work to win votes for the BJP across the state if the BJP addressed the issues on which they had joined hands.

Looking to the opposition

The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM is to make its Lok Sabha debut in the state next year and wants to join the opposition grand alliance, but is unhappy with the response so far. “If the (opposition) alliance ignores us, we will also ignore it completely,” spokesperson Asim Waqar said, adding that the party would contest regardless. The Peace Party is also keen to fight the BJP from within the opposition coalition.

What happened next

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election the BJP won 303 of the 543 seats nationally.

Originally published on 27 August 2018. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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