BJP's former ally SBSP forms alliance with SP ahead of UP Assembly polls

Lucknow: In a surprising turn of events ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections 2022, Samajwadi Party leader and former CM of the state Akhilesh Yadav today shared a photo with Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar to suggest an alliance with the regional party. Yadav shared the photo on Samajwadi Party’s Twitter handle saying that the SP-SBSP will defeat the BJP in the next year’s assembly polls.

“Samajwadi Party and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party will fight the battle on behalf of the deprived, the oppressed, the backward, the Dalits, women, farmers, youth, every weaker section. SP and SBSP has come together to defeat the BJP in UP,” said Akhilesh Yadav in Hindi.

A similar post was made from the handle of SBSP chief Rajbhar. “BJP will be cleaned (from UP) this time. Samajwadi Party and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party has come together. The days of Only the BJP government which betrayed all sections of the society along with Dalits, backward minorities are numbered. Courtesy meeting with former Chief Minister and SP supremo respected Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji,” said Rajbhar while sharing a small video.

“Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party have come together to remove Bharatiya Janata Party from power in UP. I have invited Akhilesh Yadav for a mahapanchayat on 27th October at Mau,” said OP Rajbhar.

The alliance has come as a surprise as only a few days ago, Rajbhar had hinted that he might again ally with the BJP. It may be recalled that Rajbhar is heading Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha, a coalition of smaller parties including Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM. The AIMIM had said that it will contest 100 seats under the banner of Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha. Rajbhar had earlier kept his cards open by saying that it may ally with the BJP if the saffron party names an OBC candidate as CM face.

On the other hand, Akhilesh Yadav had ruled out any alliance with its former partner Congress. Yadav had already hinted that he is keen to ally with the regional parties for the Uttar Pradesh Elections 2022.

Uttar Pradesh will go to the polls early next year.