Dalit revolt against Yogi divides UP BJP

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Even as the revolt by Dalit MPs against UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath grows in Uttar Pradesh, a sizeable faction within the BJP has started coming out ion support of the chief minister.

Another Dalit MP Dr Yeshwant Singh from the Nagina Lok Sabha seat has now spoken out against the atrocities on Dalits. Dr Yeshwant Singh is the fourth MP to have spoken out on the issue after Savitri Bai Phule, Chhote Lal Kharwar and Ashok Dohre.

Yogi supporters feel that this sustained campaign against the chief minister

Another Dalit MP Dr Yeshwant Singh from the Nagina Lok Sabha seat has now spoken out against the atrocities on Dalits. he is the fourth MP to have spoken out on the issue

is being deliberately carried out by a section of leaders at the centre.

A senior cabinet minister, known for his proximity to the chief minister, spoke to this correspondent on Saturday and said, "There has to be a design behind this campaign. One MP everyday is speaking out against the chief minister and they all belong to one caste group. There are no specific cases for their outburst and the allegations are general in nature. It is only natural for supporters of the chief minister to be upset at this because such a trend has never been encouraged in the party".

About two dozen legislators have already held meetings in this regard and plan to meet the BJP president Amit Shah and plead for putting an end to this smear campaign.

"Yogi's reputation is squeaky clean and attempts to damage his reputation , will damage the party", said one of the MLAs.

What is apparently adding fuel to the fire is that fact that not a single central or state leader has made any attempt to curb this antiYogi campaign. In fact, it is the smaller leaders in the party who inform journalists that a particular MP is willing to give a statement against the chief minister.

According to sources, the Sangh leaders feel that the campaign may or may not damage Yogi Adityanath but it will certainly damage the BJP's campaign to woo Dalits.

"Those MPs who are a part of this tirade are actually cutting their own nose to spite their face. This should be immediately stopped,” the Sangh leader said.