In the latest political saga, the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, has levelled accusations at the Samajwadi Party (SP) for allegedly deceiving him over seat-sharing agreements in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
The leader, who has recently allied himself with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), criticised the Samajwadi Party’s practices. He claimed that the SP had placed their candidates, such as Abbas Ansari, in 13 seats, while using the SBSP’s political symbol. Rajbhar promised further discussions on the issue post the NDA assembly in Delhi.
Abbas Ansari is notably the son of the currently imprisoned Mukhtar Ansari, a controversial figure in Indian politics. Rajbhar’s remarks point towards a possible breach of trust within the electoral process, undermining the SBSP’s role in the coalition.
Further critiquing SP, Rajbhar targeted its leader, Akhilesh Yadav, referencing the party’s performance in past elections. According to Rajbhar, the SP had secured 47 seats in the 2017 assembly polls and 125 in 2022. He prognosticated a defeat for the Yadav-led party in the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
With its primary support base amongst the OBC Rajbhar caste, SBSP holds significant influence in several assembly and parliamentary seats in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar suggests a strategic vote-cutting plan against SP involving allies Sanjay Nishad, Anupriya Patel, and Dara Singh Chauhan.
Regarding future seat-sharing in Uttar Pradesh as an NDA member, Rajbhar dismissed such speculations. He also denied rumours suggesting his intent to contest from Ghazipur in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
At the NDA assembly, discussions are slated to revolve around national development and the welfare of backward classes, Dalits, and minorities. SBSP’s national chief general secretary, Arvind Rajbhar, supported the alliance with NDA. He confirmed that previous issues leading to the alliance’s end in 2017 have now been resolved.
Arvind Rajbhar further dismissed the opposition’s meeting in Bengaluru, terming it insignificant. These developments highlight the ongoing political realignments within Uttar Pradesh, with implications for future electoral outcomes.
