In the second jolt to Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party in as many days, a key former ally today rejoined the BJP-led NDA, further strengthening the ruling alliance ahead of next year's general elections. Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, influential among OBC voters in eastern Uttar Pradesh, announced it will fight along with the BJP for "social justice, the country's security, and empowerment of those deprived of good governance, the oppressed, backward classes, Dalits, women, farmers, youth, and all weak sections of society".
SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, who fought the 2022 UP elections in alliance with the Samajwadi Party after quitting as cabinet minister during Yogi Adityanath's first term as Chief Minister, tweeted a picture with Home Minister Amit Shah and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and BJP chief JP Nadda.
भाजपा और सुभासपा आए साथ
सामाजिक न्याय देश की रक्षा- सुरक्षा, सुशासन वंचितों, शोषितों, पिछड़ों, दलितों, महिलाओं, किसानों, नौजवानों, हर कमजोर वर्ग को सशक्त बनाने के लिए भारतीय जनता पार्टी और सुहेलदेव भारतीय समाज पार्टी मिलकर लड़ेगी। pic.twitter.com/CDMXCc9EAM
— Om Prakash Rajbhar (@oprajbhar) July 16, 2023Amit Shah also tweeted the picture of their meeting and welcomed the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) leader to the NDA.
When asked about his earlier stand that if the UP opposition parties like SP, BSP came together, he would fight with them, Mr Rajbhar said he tried speaking to all parties but didn't get a response.
"How many days was I supposed to wait? I tried to speak to all the parties, but there was no response. So, I decided to be part of the fight for social justice being spearheaded by the prime minister, the home minister, and the Uttar Pradesh chief minister," he told news agency ANI.
#WATCH | SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar speaks on his decision of joining the NDA alliance
"We met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on July 14 and discussed various issues and decided to fight the 2024 elections together. I want to thank PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, CM Yogi Adityanath… pic.twitter.com/gvI0whp1dl
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2023Samajwadi Party took a swipe at the BJP, saying the BJP is rattled after the party announced its 'PDA -- Pichde, Dalit, Alpasankhyak (Backward Classes, Dalits, Minorities) formula' to defeat the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The party posted several video clips where Mr Rajbhar can be seen berating PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath, and even abusing the BJP, saying the ruling party is ready to ally with even those who abuse them.
With a swipe at BJP's "party with difference" slogan, the Samajwadi party said even though OP Rajbhar has joined the NDA along with his son, the youth, elders, and women of the backward Rajbhar community don't support them.
"Both OP (Rajbhar) and the BJP will realise their mistakes once election results are out. Entire backward, Dalit, minority is with PDA/SP," it said.
आज यही @oprajbhar जी NDA में शामिल हुए हैं
ये वही राजभर जी हैं जो पूर्व में भाजपा नेताओं को मां बहन की गालियां देते थे
श्री अखिलेश यादव जी के PDA ऐलान यानी पिछड़ा दलित अल्पसंख्यक एकता के बाद से भाजपा घबराई हुई है और गाली खाकर भी गालीबाज को शामिल कर रही
पार्टी विद डिफरेंस
