Including Judeo, 13 candidates are now in the fray for 12 vacancies in the House. If none of them withdraw, election will become unavoidable. The last date for the withdrawal of nominations is January 15. The BSP and the SP are in a comfortable position to garner seven and three seats respectively for which they have already fielded their candidates. The BJP is assured of at least one victory. But the party will need an additional of 13 votes to ensure the victory of its second candidate.

As for the Congress, it needs 11 additional votes to ensure Judeo’s victory. Exuding confidence, Congress Legislature Party leader Pramod Tiwari claimed the party has 15 additional votes. Many Independents and unattached members of the Assembly have assured they will vote for the Congress candidate, he said.

The party also expected support from SP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, which has 10 members in the Assembly.

A candidate will require 32 first preference votes from the Assembly to win the elections.

Since neither Congress nor the BJP has the required votes, the stage seems set for cross-voting and horse-trading as polling takes place through through secret ballot.