Days after quitting BSP, Swami Prasad Maurya joins BJP

Maurya, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly before he quit the BSP, joined the BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah at the BJP headquarters here.

The four-time MLA claimed that if he receives support from the BJP leadership, the party will come to power in UP with a majority.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s work to “empower the weaker sections”, as also his statements over the last two days on the issue of attack on Dalits by self-proclaimed gau rakshaks, Maurya lashed out at BSP chief Mayawati for turning her party into an “industrial house” and alleged that she sells tickets to election contenders.

Stating that the BSP was a movement under its founder Kanshi Ram, he said, “It is no longer a political party. It is an industrial house. It (the party) is not only an insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram but also to our Constitution.”

Maurya, who is said to enjoy influence with a section of OBC voters belonging to Kushwaha, Maurya, Shakya and Saini communities, also lashed out at “communal forces” for allegedly attempting to divide the society, in an apparent criticism of cow vigilantes.

Shah, who left after briefly sharing the stage with Maurya, did not speak.

UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said with the BSP leader’s entry the BJP’s mission of winning next year’s polls is closer to reality.