Elections 2019: SP-BSP Alliance Will Win Around 60, says BJP ally OP Rajbhar

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar, known for being critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite being part of the alliance, claims that the Samajwadi Party (SP)- Bahujan Samaj Party (SP) Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) is set to win around 60 Lok Sabha seats, out of the total of 80 in Uttar Pradesh. If this does happen, it would become “really hard” for the BJP to form a government in Centre again, he told Newsclick in an interview.

Hearing out problems of people in his government bungalow at Kalidas Marg in the state capital, Rajbhar, chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, was instead seen asking people what he should do if BJP did not pay heed to his demands.

Asked about being part of the government yet criticising BJP’s policies regularly, Rajbhar said he had kept all his cards open. He said the Congress had “conned” the country for over 60 years and “BSP has also not done” anything for the betterment of people coming from the backward section of the society. “The only reason I want to be with them (BJP) is because I want to do something for the benefit of people coming from backward sections of the society,” he said, adding that even if BJP loses power in the Centre, “they will still be in power in Uttar Pradesh for more than two years.”

Edited excerpts from the interview:

SS: You have been criticising the Uttar Pradesh government despite being part of it. Why?

OPR: If for speaking the truth someone is labelled a “rebel”, then yes, I am a rebel. I have spoken against the BJP because of differences on various things. I am not a sycophant.

How do you see the post-Pulwama air strike issue making an impact on these elections?

Not at all. This is a BJP poll strategy and they are using nationalism as a poll agenda. But let me tell you that for people living in backward areas, the real issues are jobs, stray cattle destroying crops and discrimination.

How do you think you can bring change for minorities or backwards?

Since the last 60 years, Congress and other parties had turned a blind eye toward the backward community. Being in the state government, I have raised their issues and will keep on raising them. I have tendered my resignation from the government, but the BJP did not accept it.

Did the BJP top brass listen to you?

Yes, the top BJP leadership has always listened to me. I met Amit Shah (BJP president) and received assurance, but unfortunately the problems were not sorted out. They (Amit Shah and company) directed the state unit but it seems there is lack of coordination between both the units. It is also possible that I may have been given fake assurances.

Do you feel conned by this attitude of your ally, BJP?

Yes, we feel backstabbed. We have been divided in the name of Hindu-Muslim and others since Independence, and even before the Independence. The minorities/backwards have been backstabbed.

What do you expect from BJP in these elections?

I do not dream of the Centre. I want to do politics of backwards in Uttar Pradesh and I want nothing more than five seats in this Lok Sabha election.

Which are those five constituencies?

Ghosi, Machlishahr, Ambedkarnagar, Chandauli and Lalganj are the Lok Sabha constituencies from where I want to field my contestants.

What if BJP does not give you these seats?

We are in a strong position on 30 Lok Sabha seats, but BJP Is a big party and they will not give us all the seats. In case things are not sorted out between us, I am ready to field my party leaders on all the 80 seats of Uttar Pradesh.