| 16 July 2023
Om Prakash Rajbhar, the chief of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and a former ally of the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, has announced his return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. This move is expected to strengthen the NDA's position in Uttar Pradesh and consolidate support from the Rajbhar community, which holds significant influence in the eastern parts of the state.
Rajbhar took to Twitter to share a picture of himself with Home Minister Amit Shah and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and BJP chief JP Nadda for welcoming him back into the fold. "SBSP is now with NDA. I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for taking us along," Rajbhar stated.
During a meeting with Rajbhar, Amit Shah acknowledged the significance of his return and commented, "The arrival of Rajbhar ji will strengthen the NDA in Uttar Pradesh." This indicates that the BJP views Rajbhar's support as crucial for electoral success in the state.
Notably, the SBSP had previously contested the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP. Rajbhar even held a ministerial position in the Yogi Adityanath-led cabinet until 2019 when he was dismissed for engaging in "anti-alliance activities." Subsequently, the SBSP aligned with the Samajwadi Party for the 2022 Assembly elections. Rajbhar's association with the Samajwadi Party was considered a significant factor in the BJP's relatively diminished performance in certain regions of 'poorvanchal' during the 2022 state polls. However, in July of the following year, Rajbhar terminated the alliance with the SP.
Rajbhar's return to the NDA is expected to rejuvenate the alliance's prospects in the state, particularly due to his influence among the Rajbhar community. With a sizeable population in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the community's support is crucial for electoral success in this region.
To further strengthen its ranks and potentially weaken the Samajwadi Party, the BJP has also witnessed another OBC leader from Poorvanchal, Dara Singh Chauhan, resigning as a Samajwadi Party MLA. Chauhan, who had previously been a member of the BJP before joining the SP ahead of the 2022 assembly polls, is seen as an additional gain for the BJP in its efforts to consolidate support.
Rajbhar's decision to join the NDA and Chauhan's resignation from the Samajwadi Party showcase the ongoing political realignments in Uttar Pradesh as parties gear up for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP, recognizing the importance of broad-based alliances, is actively working to expand its support base and strengthen its position in the state. The NDA meeting scheduled for July 18 will likely provide further insights into the alliance's strategies and plans leading up to the elections.
As the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh evolves, the BJP-led NDA aims to secure a dominant position by garnering support from influential regional leaders and communities. The alliances and realignments taking place in the state will undoubtedly shape the electoral dynamics and have significant implications for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
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