BANGALORE: Following its spectacular victory in the recent Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party (SP) is focusing on extending its base in Karnataka. It is in touch with several sitting MLAs and former legislators of the state.Sources in the SP said that the new chief minister of UP, Akhilesh Yadav - who studied engineering at a college in Mysore - has established contact with several state legislators and former MLAs and invited them to join the party.Confirming this to Express, Samajwadi Party general secretary and Karnataka party in-charge Rajiv Rai told Express: “The response to the proposal has been overwhelming. A clear picture would emerge soon.”Rai also added that the charisma of the UP CM and his Mysore stint would resonate with the public here.This is not the first time the SP has attempted a foray into Karnataka. Former CM late S Bangarappa quit as BJP MP from Shimoga and got successfully re-elected to the Parliament on a SP ticket in 2006 — a fleeting stint that ended when he migrated to the JD(S). The SP is also eyeing those leaders who were once a part of the socialist movement and the Janata Pariwar. According to sources, an independent MLA also associated with the mining business and a prominent Ahinda leader from Congress have reportedly responded to the SP’s feelers.“Things would crystallise when elections draw near,” sources in the party said.
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