SBSP MLA says he’s pained at not being invited to PM’s rally

VARANASI: Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) MLA Kailash Sonkar on Sunday expressed unhappiness at not being invited to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Wazidpur village in Varanasi on Monday.

Wazidpur village is part of the Ajgara assembly constituency represented by Sonkar. The SBSP is an ally of the ruling BJP in the state.

“The rally venue is part of my assembly constituency. As an MLA, I want to welcome PM Modi in my constituency. The BJP hasn’t invited me to the event. I haven’t received any formal information from the party. I want to welcome PM Modi. As an MLA, this is my right too. I am the only Dalit MLA in the district,” Sonkar said.

“I am pained at not being invited to the event,” he said.

Shashipratap Singh, the SBSP state unit general secretary, said, “He is a Dalit MLA. Therefore, the BJP has ignored him. Following the coalition dharma, the BJP should have invited him to the event. I want to know what happened to the slogan sabka sath, sabka vikas.”

Singh said the SBSP would like to apprise the PM of the fact (that the MLA had not been invited). He also said he would oppose the event.

Singh said under such circumstances, it appears it would be tough to contest the Lok Sabha election in alliance with the BJP.

However, BJP Kashi region vice president Dharmendra Singh said, “The BJP respects everyone. The party hasn’t ignored MLA Kailash Sonkar. He is from the SBSP, an alliance partner of the BJP. We expect their cooperation and support.”