As former minister joins Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav says boost to PDA
Welcoming them into the party fold, Yadav said their inclusion would further strengthen the PDA (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) alliance and boost the SP's outreach among marginalised communities.
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Daddu Prasad (right) with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow (Express Photo)FORMER minister Daddu Prasad (56), along with several of his supporters, joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Lucknow on Monday in the presence of SP president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.
Welcoming them into the party fold, Yadav said their inclusion would further strengthen the PDA (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) alliance and boost the SP’s outreach among marginalised communities. Daddu Prasad said that he, along with his associates, would “work towards strengthening the organisation (SP).”
A prominent face in Bundelkhand, Daddu Prasad is known for his strong influence among Dalits, backward classes and Muslim voters in the region. His switch to the SP is seen as a significant political development ahead of the coming elections.
Welcoming the new members into the party, Akhilesh Yadav said their induction would further strengthen the ongoing struggle and movement of the PDA — an alliance of Pichhde (backward classes), Dalits, and Alpsankhyaks (minorities).
Yadav said that a “growing number of influential leaders” from various parties are joining the SP, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the Constitution and upholding law and order. He added that these leaders have come together with us to “uphold the dignity of Dalits, backward classes, the oppressed, minorities, and farmers, and to intensify the fight against inflation and unemployment.
Prasad, who hails from Chitrakoot and belongs to the Dalit community, is a three-time MLA who held several key positions during his long association with BSP. He began his political career in 1983 and joined the BSP the following year. Prasad contested five Assembly elections from Manikpur in Chitrakoot, winning four of them. He first contested in 1985 on a BSP ticket at the age of 25, but lost. However, he went on to secure victories in 1996, 2002 and 2007. In 2007, he was appointed Cabinet Minister for Rural Development in the Mayawati-led government.
In January 2015, BSP chief Mayawati expelled Prasad from the party over alleged anti-party activities. He later contested the 2017 Assembly election from Manikpur as an Independent candidate but was unsuccessful.
Daddu Prasad said that in 2015, he founded a social organisation — Mission for Social Transformation — and has been serving as its national convenor since. In 2011, Daddu Prasad came into the spotlight after his name surfaced during the investigation of a rape case. However, he was not named in the FIR and the police later gave him a clean chit.
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