State Congress claimed to receive yet another shot in the arm when retired officer of Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Dr BP Neelratan joined the Party in presence of state president, Nirmal Khatri and Chairman of SC Commission, Pl Puniya, on Thursday afternoon.
The joining will also boost the Dalit agenda of Congress youth scion Rahul Gandhi, who spent several nights in Dalit hamlets of the State just to attract the section of the society that he was their real well-wisher and not others who represents their community. However, so far the community which gave affection to Rahul had not transformed into vote bank for the Congress. Neelratan, who is advisor in Dalit Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a leading organization representing industrialists from Dalit community, left Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to join the Congress. Only three days back, Disha Chamber, daughter of senior IAS officer of lucknow, JN Chamber, a close lieutenant of former chief minister Mayawati, has also left BSP to join Congress.
Confirming of joining of retired IAS officer, Dr BP Neelratan into the Congress fold, spokesman of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC), Virendra Madan said here on Thursday evening that the Party will definitely going to get a big boost both in the Centre as well as in the State particularly in the coming lok Sabha polls. He disclosed that State president, Nirmal Khatri while welcoming Neelratan in the Congress at New Delhi on Thursday remembered the contribution of retired IAS officer especially in social field for upliftment of Dalits and downtrodden section of the society. Pl Puniya too claimed that Neelratan coming to the Party will definitely help them to extend their drive for welfare and progress of the Dalit’s community along with all deprived section of the society.
Talking to media persons soon after joining the Congress, BP Neelratan claimed that he saw both BSP and Samajwadi Party very closely and found that both used Dalits and other down-trodden section of the society as their vote-banks and had done nothing so far for their welfare.
It may be mentioned that Dr BP Neelratan who served for more 34-years had retired from joint secretary post from Government of India. Besides his contribution for welfare of the poor section of the society, Neelratan was also known for his work regarding formation of milk societies to make the people more self-dependant. To further bring up the young entrepreneurs belonging to down-trodden section of the society, Neelratan also engaged himself as advisor to Dalit Chambers of Commerce and Industry.