Summary:
On the dates of filing of nominations, names of smaller parties surface and many of outfits will to contest elections. According to EC's official records, the 2012 UP elections witnessed almost 100% jump in the number of smaller political parties. In 2007, there were 103 such parties and their number jumped to 204 in 2012. ALLAHABAD: Apart from major political parties - Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party, Apna Dal and Rastriya Lok Dal - contesting the assembly polls, candidates of lesser known smaller parties including Bharatiya Shakti Chetna Party, Adim Samaj Party, Bahujan Mukti party, Jai Hind-Jai Bharat Party, Rastriya Samaj paksha, Yuva Vikas party, Bahujan Awam party, Bharatiya Sangam party, Pragatisheel Samaj party, Bharatiya Kranti Rakshak Dal and Ambedkar Yug party are also in the fray in all 12 assembly seats of the district.A total of 181 candidates are contesting in all 12 assembly seats of Allahabad.Interestingly, there is a long list of smaller parties whose names have never been heard. Some of these political outfits have weird names like the 'Humlog Morcha' that reminds one more of a soap opera.Till last year, the total number of political parties from UP registered with EC was 474..