In a setback to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in western Uttar Pradesh, almost all the senior members of the party in Saharanpur have switched to the BJP. The move comes ahead of the Gangoh Assembly bypoll on October 21.
Those who joined the BJP include former MLA Ravindra Molhu, who was considered close to BSP chief Mayawati. Addressing his supporters, Mr. Molhu said he was feeling “suffocated” in the party and his supporters were not getting the respect they deserved.
Almost two dozen party workers, including district party president Rishipal Gautam, joined the BJP in the presence of State president Swatantra Dev Singh in Lucknow on Wednesday.
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According to sources, the selection of Irshad Choudhary as the BSP candidate in a constituency where there is significant Dalit population did not go down well with the party workers.
The Gangoh seat fell vacant after sitting BJP MLA Pradeep Chaudhary was elected from Kairana to the Lok Sabha earlier this year.
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Putting up a brave front, BSP leader Ranvir Singh Kashyap said it would not affect the prospects of the party in the coming bypoll.
“Candidates are decided by Behenji [Mayawati] and nobody could question her choice. In the past, many seniors leaders have left the party, but it didn't create any impact. This happens because of factional politics at the district level and the party would look into it,” he added.
Senior BJP leader and former MLA from Saharanpur Rajiv Gumber told The Hindu that the development indicated the diminishing base of the BSP in the region. "Though the BSP supported us on dilution of Article 370, the local population is not happy with its stand on the Ram temple. Their leaders are not being able to defend the party stand.”
On how it will affect the grassroots workers of the party, which was once known to accept workers on the basis of their ideology, Mr. Gumber said he would not make any comment on the decision of the party leadership.
“What I can say is that the party always keeps in mind the interests of its grassroots workers.”