Lucknow, March 30: In a jolt to the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh, one of their smaller constituents - the Nishad Party - has not only walked out of the coalition, but is likely to jump ship to the BJP-led NDA camp ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Party chief Sanjay Nishad, who son Praveen Nishad is the sitting MP from Gorakhpur parliamentary constituency, has hinted at entering the saffron fold following the meeting with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday.
Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Sanjay Nishad said the meeting with Adityanath was cordial. The CM has indicated that his party would be allowed to "contest on their own ticket" -- a demand which Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had turned down. Facts to Know About Gorakhpur Lok Sabha Constituency.
"UP CM assured me yesterday that our grievances will be heard and dealt with. Nishad Party will contest on its own symbol. NDA will decide who will contest from where," Sanjay said.
His son Praveen, who wrested Gorakhpur -- the seat last represented by Adityanath -- in the 2018 bypolls, had contested on the SP ticket.
Akhilesh Yadav was firm that the SP will re-field Praveen on their ticket, rather than allotting the seat to Nishad Party. The rationale behind the move was to galvanise the SP workers in Gorakhpur, who could had turned disenchanted with the constituency being ceased to the Nishad Party.
The SP-BSP-RLD alliance has made no attempts to placate Sanjay Nishad, following his meeting with Yogi Adityanath yesterday. Ending the space for negotiations on their side, Akhilesh on Saturday announced Rambhuyan Nishad as their candidate from Gorakhpur constituency.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 30, 2019 07:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).