Lucknow: Its a series of exits from the Yogi Adityanath’s BJP as this is the second time OBC leader Dara Singh Chauhan resigns as UP minister, the series of exists began when Swami Prasad Maurya resigned as Minister yesterday. This is the second OBC (Other Backward Class) leader to quit team Yogi just before the Uttar Pradesh election next month.
In a huge setback to BJP as the elections are near. In a huge blow to the BJP as it seeks re-election in India’s most politically vital state, two ministers and four MLAs have quit so far and are set to join the Samajwadi Party of Akhilesh Yadav.
In a huge blow to the BJP as it seeks re-election in India’s most politically vital state, two ministers and four MLAs have quit so far and are set to join the Samajwadi Party of Akhilesh Yadav.
On cue, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya put out a tweet urging Mr Chauhan to reconsider the move.
“If any family member strays, it is very sad. I can only appeal to the respected leaders who are going, please don’t get on a sinking ship or it will be their loss. Big brother Dara Singh, please reconsider your decision,” Keshav Maurya wrote.
He had made a similar appeal to Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned yesterday, setting off a nosebleed in the BJP of OBC or backward caste leaders.
The exits are blowing a hole in the BJP’s OBC leadership before an election where the party’s main challenger is Akhilesh Yadav and backward votes are critical.
Mr Chauhan, who is from eastern UP, joined the BJP in 2015 after quitting Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). He was a BSP MP from 2009 to 2014. When he joined the BJP, he was made the national president of the party’s OBC unit.He is likely following the BSP-BJP-Samajwadi Party circuit like five others before him.
Last year, these leaders were part of a group that had revolted against Yogi Adityanath and had complained to the leadership about his working style and his “arrogance”.
Though the BJP despatched a central team to take feedback and suggest changes, nothing came of the efforts and the party opted for status quo.
Mr Maurya had also met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah two months ago.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
