UP Election 2002: Vying for same seat, both Aparna Yadav and Rita Joshi left in lurch by BJP

Former rivals Aparna Yadav and Rita Bahuguna Joshi are united in grief today. BJP has declared candidates for the high profile Lucknow seats and both the aspirants have been left in the lurch.

Chhoti bahu of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, Aparna Yadav, who recently switched to the BJP, was hoping to get the ticket from Lucknow Cantt. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who had defeated Aparna from the seat in 2017, was also lobbying for a ticket for her son this time from the seat. The BJP has given a cold shoulder to both and has fielded UP minister Brajesh Pathak instead.

Aparna Yadav had contested as SP candidate against Rita Bahuguna Joshi in 2017 from Lucknow Cantt. Joshi, herself a Congress turncoat, won and was made a minister in the Yogi Cabinet.

Lucknow Cantt is considered a safe seat for the BJP and this election, Joshi wanted ticket for her son Mayank Joshi.

The BJP declared candidates for all 9 seats in Lucknow district on Tuesday. In 2017, the BJP had won eight out of nine seats in the Lucknow district.