SP to contest in all 272 seats in Delhi civic polls

Buoyed by its success in assembly polls in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party will be contesting in all the 272 seats in the civic polls in the national capital to be held next month.

SP's Delhi unit president Usha Yadav said the decision to field candidates in all the wards has been taken following the "go ahead" by party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"We will contest in all the 272 wards in the municipal polls. We have already held discussion with Mulayam Singhji about the polls and he told us to put all the hardwork," Yadav told PTI.

Elections to all the three new corporations- North, South and East Delhi municipalities, carved out of the MCD, will be held on April 15.

Samajwadi Party had fielded candidates in all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the general elections in 2009 while it had put up candidates in 38 assembly constituencies out of the 70 seats in assembly polls in 2008. The party, however, drew a blank.

Asked about SP's prospect in the municipal polls, Yadav said following the victory in UP polls, the support base of the party was increasing rapidly and party workers have started working with great enthusiasm.

"The supporters are really upbeat after the party's victory in Uttar Pradesh. We are confident of doing well in the polls," Yadav, who was also member of SP national executive, said.

The SP will be the third party to field candidates in all 272 seats after Congress and BJP.

The municipal polls are seen as a semi final ahead of next year's assembly polls in the city.