Umakant Yadav rejoins BSP
LUCKNOW: The Bahujan Samaj Party on Sunday opened its door to Umakant Yadav, once known for his terror in east UP. Zonal coordinator of BSP Ram Kumar Kureel announced the joining of Umakant along with his son Dineshkant Yadav in a programme organised in Jaunpur.
Mayawati as chief minister had in 2007 got Umakant, accused in around 20 criminal cases, arrested from the gate of her residence for grabbing the land of a farmer in Sarai Mir area of Azamgarh district. Announcing expulsion of Umakant from party, she had said there was no place for criminal elements in the BSP.
When asked about Umakant’s joining, Kureel replied that he had expressed faith in the policies of the party. Umakant said majority of the cases were lodged against him due to political vendetta. “I am a loyal worker of the BSP and joined the party in early nineties. I am trying to spread the ideology and mission of BSP chief Mayawati,” he said.
Before the 2017 assembly election, Umakant and his son Dinesh had joined the RLD. He was made national general secretary. The SP and the RLD has announced alliance for the coming by-polls
on Kairana Lok Sabha and Noorpur assembly seats. Shifting of allegiance by Umakant to the BSP is being seen as a political strategy by the alliance partners to strengthen hold over the Yadavs in east UP.
Umakant enjoys considerable influence over the Yadav community in Azamgarh-Jaunpur region. Since the RLD has negligible presence in east UP, Umakant decided to shift to the BSP. It also indicates a pre-poll deal between the alliance partners the SP, BSP
and the RLD, sources said.
Sources said Ramakant Yadav, brother of Umakant, who contested 2014 Lok Sabha election on a BJP ticket might join the SP before the Lok Sabha election. Ramkant is also accused in a dozen of criminal cases. Arun Yadav, son of Ramakant, is a BJP MLA from Phoolpur Pawai asse mbly seat in Azamgarh district. Political observe R KG au tam said political parties focused on the winnability factor rather than the character of the candidates.