2014 Lok Sabha Election - 6 Central Ministers fight for survival in Uttar Pradesh

Since 1989, power in UP has rotated between state players SP and BSP. Apart from them and a polarised electorate owing to Narendra Modi's entry, the ministers face a tough election due to the strong anti-Congress sentiment and the baggage of representing the corruption-tainted UPA government,

Salman Khurshid, who won his first Lok Sabha election in 1991 from Farrukhabad and his second general election in 2009, is facing a challenge because of the consolidation of backward community votes, said sources.
However, what goes in his favour is that he belongs to an influential political family and is the only Muslim candidate in Farukkhabad. 


Sriprakash Jaiswal, the 3-term M.P from Kanpur the main challenge is from BJP nominee Murli Manohar Joshi and the fact that Jasiwal's victory margins in the 2004 and 2009 polls were just 5,000 and 15,000 votes, respectively.
However Jaiswal, who faced a lot of flak over the alleged irregularities in coal mine allocations, is well connected with workers and enjoys Muslims' and traders' support.

Beni Prasad Verma, a tactical import from the SP in 2009, has brought more embarrassment to the Congress than any tangible electoral dividends. But he continues to stay afloat owing to his public statements that he wants to see Rahul as the PM. In fact, he was brought in to counter SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, as Verma is a known leader of the backward Kurmi community and claims to have a sizeable influence in eastern UP. 

Jitin Prasada, son of senior Congress leader Jitendra Prasada, is a second term MP. While he won from his traditional family seat of Shahjahanpur in 2004, he represented Dhaurahra in 2009. Jitin enjoys support from traditional voters, including Muslims, who have been backing his family, and is also popular among the youth. But he too faces the anti-Congress sentiments.
 RPN Singh, the first-time MP from Kushinagar, has been a three-term MLA from Padrauna and has strong support in the Kurmi community to which he belongs. However, the baggage of representing the Congress and a weak organisation could mar his chances

MP Pradeep Jain owes his cabinet berth to Rahul, but sources say poor implementation of a special financial package given by the Centre at Rahul's behest to checkmate former chief minister Mayawati, has resulted in large-scale resentment among locals.
However, his image of a simple person, popular among party workers and voters alike, could go in his favour.