BJP’s Key Allies in Uttar Pradesh, Apna Dal And Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party, Threaten to Quit NDA

Notably, the Apna Dal party is important to the BJP as it had won two seats, Mirzapur and Pratapgarh, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Published: February 23, 2019 12:18 AM IST

By India.com News Desk

Om Prakash Rajbhar, OP Rajbhar, UP polls, UP Assembly Election
Om Prakash Rajbhar-led Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party is contesting in alliance with Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls. (Photo: ANI)

Lucknow: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s key allies in Uttar Pradesh, Apna Dal and the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), on Friday alleged that the saffron party has not taken care of its alliance partners. Expressing displeasure” over their equation with the BJP, they added that they were open to taking their own course of action in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

The Apna Dal said that it was “free to make its own decision”, however, the SBSP went a step ahead asserting that its option to join the SP-BSP alliance in the state for the upcoming general elections was open.

“Some differences cropped up between the Apna Dal and the BJP. We had given them time till February 20 to resolve the issues, but there is no answer from the BJP. It appears they are not interested in taking care of their allies,” Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel told reporters in Bareilly. “Now, the Apna Dal is free to make its own decision. A party meeting has been called to chalk out our future course of action,” she asserted.

Notably, the Apna Dal party is important to the BJP as it had won two seats, Mirzapur and Pratapgarh, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

In Ballia, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Friday accused the BJP of creating confusion and not fulfilling his party’s demands, and said the option for his outfit to join the SP-BSP alliance in the state for the upcoming general elections was “open”.

The SBSP, which has four MLAs in the 403-member Assembly, had contested the Uttar Pradesh civic polls separately. Rajbhar said he was in talks with TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, SP president Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati, and a decision on retaining or severing ties with the saffron party would be taken after February 24.

Om Prakash Rajbhar had last week written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to give up the charge of the backward class welfare department, expressing disappointment that his recommendations on appointment of state backward castes panel members have been “ignored”.

However, on February 17, the SBSP chief said his offer to give up the charge of the department was not accepted by the chief minister, who had assured him that the matter would be looked into. “The BJP is creating confusion. I am not satisfied with the talks with him (BJP chief). Discussions are going on for a number of days… They are promising but not fulfilling our demands,” alleged Rajbhar, who had recently met BJP national president Amit Shah.

Asked about the possibility of him parting ways with the BJP, he said, “The option of tying up with the SP-BSP alliance or with any other party is open. We can go anywhere.” “I am in talks with West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, SP president Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati. I will decide on leaving or remaining with the BJP on February 24.” the SBSP chief told reporters here.

(With PTI inputs)

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