In a blow to the Samajwadi Party (SP), its MLC Sarojini Agarwal resigned from the party and joined the BJP on Friday.
Her defection assumes significance as it comes barely a week afterMLCs Bukkal Nawab and Yashwant Singh quit to join the ruling party during Amit Shah’s recent trip to Lucknow.
‘Not comfortable’
Ms. Agarwal, who has been associated with the SP for over two decades, said she quit the party as she was not feeling comfortable since Mulayam Singh was dethroned as president by his son Akhilesh Yadav last year. “My heart has not been into the party since Mulayam Singh ji ceased to be the national president. It was a difficult choice. I took time to decide but have finally taken the step.”
U.P. Cabinet Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi was by Ms. Agarwal’s side when she announced that she was joining the BJP. Ms. Joshi, who herself defected to the BJP from the Congress before the U.P. elections, said: “Given Modi ji’s working style and Yogi government’s move towards public welfare, it is natural that people are being attracted [to the BJP].”
Responding to Ms. Agarwal’s resgination, Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of sabotage. “Patthar phenko, MLC todo [Throw stones, break away MLCs],” tweeted the former U.P. CM, who has accused the ruling party of pressurising Opposition party legislators to defect.
The defection of the MLCs does not bode well for the Opposition as the BSP is also under the grip of fresh turmoil.
