UP mantri meets Shivpal, defends SP chief Akhilesh

◗ This is the first time that Mr Rajbhar has met a SP leader and publicly admitted to the meeting

In a move that could have far- reaching consequences, UP minister and president of Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party ( SBSP) Om Prakash Rajbhar had a long meeting with SP leader Shivpal Yadav in Varanasi on Friday.

The meeting assumes significance since Mr Rajbhar has been in an attacking mode against the BJP and the Yogi government in recent weeks.

The two leaders met at the circuit house in Varanasi, but refused to divulge details of their discussions. When asked, the two leaders said that it was a courtesy meeting since both were in Varanasi. Mr Rajbhar said, “I am still with the BJP.”

Earlier, Mr Rajbhar, while talking to reporters at Varanasi airport, attacked his own government for attempting to malign the image of the SP president Akhilesh Yadav by blaming him for the damage done to his bungalow.

“This is clearly a conspiracy to tarnish the image of the SP leader. Why would anyone damage the bungalow he has lived in?” he asked.

This is the first time that Mr Rajbhar has met a Samajwadi Party leader and publicly admitted to the meeting. Earlier too, there have been speculations about the SP and SBSP being in talks regarding a possible alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav has said about two months ago that Mr Rajbhar was caught in a wrong alliance and should join the Opposition alliance against the BJP.