Lucknow, April 25: The Karnataka assembly elections for 224 seats are going to be held on May 12. Major political parties have geared up for the poll-bound state, while Uttar Pradesh (UP) state parties 'Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP)' headed by Mayawati and 'Samajwadi Party (SP)' of former Chief Minister (CM) Akhilesh Yadav will also contest the elections, but independently.

According to a news report by CNN, the SP spokesperson Sunil Sajan told their party president (Akhilesh Yadav) has the vision to establish SP as a national party. Hence, they have decided to contest the Karnataka elections. Also, Yadav will be seen campaigning for their party candidates.

In a staggering defeat in March earlier, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) lost the UP by-polls for Gorakhpur and Phulpur assembly seats to SP backed by the BSP. The two parties now contesting elections all alone in Karnataka is a clear indication that their unity was only restricted to by-polls. While Yadav hinted earlier that both parties would contest 2019 Lok Sabha polls in 'understanding,’ but this understanding might be only limited to UP, party source assumes now.

For the Karnataka assembly election, BSP has made an alliance with Janata Dal (Secular). Adding, Mayawati will soon embark on her election campaign rallies in Mysore and Chitradurga district during her two-day visit to the state on Thursday. She will also share the stage with JD(S) leadership at public rallies as per news reports. Meanwhile, sources also reveal Yadav will hold public rallies for four candidates together instead of addressing a public gathering for each of the party candidates.

SP has declared 27 candidates list and is expected to announce the list of candidates for other 15 seats soon.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 25, 2018 11:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).