The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) seems to have firmly closed its doors for Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar.
BSP national convener and BSP chief Mayawati’s nephew Akash Anand took a jibe at Rajbhar and said there was a need to beware of such “selfish people”.
“The whole world appreciates the governance, administration, discipline of the BSP president and former UP Chief Minister Mayawati. Some opportunists are trying to run their political shops in the name of ‘Behenji. One needs to beware of such selfish people,” Anand said in a tweet.
Earlier, a BSP leader, on the condition of anonymity, had said, “In fact, Rajbhar’s image has become that of a leader on whom trusting too much can prove to be fatal. In such a situation, whether Mayawati will trust him or not is a big question.”
“Rajbhar’s track record is such that it will not be easy to trust him. Sometimes he stays with the BJP and then he is seen with Shivpal and Owaisi. His presence remains in every court. We don’t think the BSP chief will be in a rush to forge an alliance with Rajbhar at the moment. Besides, there are no elections in days ahead,” the BSP leader further said.
If BSP sources are to be believed, the biggest hurdle in the alliance between Rajbhar and Mayawati will be the closeness of Rajbhar with the BJP.
“The way he is seen playing at the behest of the BJP, forming an alliance with him is fraught with danger. Mayawati is also aware that the BJP can plant leaders like Rajbhar in the BSP, hence the statement of Anand also holds significance and it is almost clear that the BSP at present is not in favour of an alliance with him,” they said.
Ever since Rajbhar’s relations with the SP soured, he is indicating an alliance with the BSP. However, the BSP has not given him any positive response.
“The SBSP and even the Bhim Sena have been talking about an alliance with the BSP from time to time. Both the parties have tried to snatch our voters but failed miserably,” the BSP sources said.
Meanwhile, after Rajbhar was attacked indirectly by Anand, SBSP spokesperson Arun Rajbhar said on Tuesday that they had neither contacted the BSP nor had any talks about an alliance.
When asked about Anand’s statement, Arun Rajbhar told reporters, “Whatever he has to say is his own opinion. We have only talked about our priorities. We have neither gone to the BSP nor talked to its leadership. Our leader Om Prakash had worked with Kanshiram.”
However, he added that nothing is certain in politics and political equations keep changing. On the SBSP’s strategy, Arun Rajbhar said, “We will be holding a meeting of the Basti division and after two-three days, we will disclose our strategy.”
Asked about the SBSP’s chances of allying with the BJP, he said, “It’s not the right time to say anything.”
Om Prakash Rajbhar had on Sunday said that BSP chief Mayawati spent more time in the field as compared to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
“Some party leaders are of the view that we should go with the BSP. I also feel the same. The BSP performed well in the recent bypolls held in Azamgarh,” he had said.
Rajbhar had earlier accused Akhilesh Yadav of bias in the distribution of tickets in the recent assembly elections.