Janata Dal (U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has laid the foundation of a secular grand alliance in UP by garnering the support of rebel BSP leader RK Chaudhary, who is soon to a float a political outfit and kickstart the alliance with JD (U). Facing political exile in UP for the past 27 years, the Congress to is likely to join the alliance at a later stage.
Nitish Kumar had addressed a rally organized by Chaudhary under the banner of Bahujan Samaj Shoshit Sangharsh Samiti (BS 4) in lucknow on Tuesday.
``We will have an alliance with the Janata Dal (United) for the 2017 Assembly polls in UP. Many more like-minded parties are set to join the alliance in due course," said Chaudhary.
The former BSP leader said, "Nitish Kumar has laid the foundation of a new beginning in UP politics and we will fight for the cause of the Bahujan Samaj together. If we make concerted efforts, then the new political formation would emerge as a viable alternative for the Bahujan Samaj which has been betrayed by BSP chief Mayawati.’’
Chaudhary announced that he would soon float a newpolitical outfit for promoting the ideals of mentor Kanshiram. The process of registering the party with the Election Commission is underway and the name of the new party is likely to be announced in early August.
``The underlying objective is to revive the battle of '85 Vs 15', for the empowerment of Bahujan Samaj which make up the vast majority of the country's population and yet have been denied their rights by the minority 15 percent,’’ said Chaudhary.
He said that he is compelled to float a new party as his earlier outfit `Rashtriya Swabihman Party' merged with the BSP when he rejoined it in April 2013.
The Pasi leader said that he was in touch with leaders of different parties and also the BSP. ``A vast majority of the BSP cadre and leaders are disillusioned with the functioning of Mayawati and are desperate for an alternative. They will be joining the new party in large numbers.’’
Accusing Mayawati of destroying the foundation of the movement for social change started by Kanshiram, Chaudhary said, ``Mayawati has changed the basic character and direction of the movement. Once a vehicle of social change, the BSP has now been captured by feudal elements and upper castes.’’