Shivpal holds closeddoor meeting with SBSP chief
VARANASI: Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Shivpal Yadav called on Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president and UP cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar at circuit house here on Friday triggering speculations of an alliance between the two parties.
Though it was not known as to what transpired in the closeddoor meeting that lasted 10 minutes, the two leaders came out hand-in-hand, smiling. Asked if they had discussion on an alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, Shivpal said: “Is bare mein unhi (Rajbhar) se poochh lijiye (Better ask Rajbhar about it.)” “Both of us were staying here (circuit house). It was an informal meeting,” Shivpal said. Refusing to share details, Rajbhar said, “Shivpal ji was a minister in the previous government. I am a minister in the present regime. It was just an informal meeting.”
“Shivpal helped me in my bad days. Now, when time is favourable for me, I am trying to help him,” he added.
Asked if the SBSP was approached by BSP for an alliance before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he said: “I am in the alliance with the BJP since 2014. What is the problem if Mayawati or Akhilesh talk to me over a cup of tea? I am getting tea for free,” he said. Replying to a query over controversy following damage to the government bungalow recently vacated by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav said it was a conspiracy by the BJP to defame Akhilesh.