Akhilesh Yadav helping BJP, ‘Mayawati as PM’ pitch: OP Rajbhar holds forth on state of Oppn, fires barbs at ex-ally

Asked about Mayawati’s refusal to meet Opposition leaders and her insistence on going it alone in the elections, Rajbhar said, “They should all go to Mayawati and say that we want you as the PM candidate. If these leaders go with this proposal, which leader will say no? Why is this not being proposed by the Opposition leaders?”

Rajbhar alleged Akhilesh was helping the BJP “through the backdoor because he is scared of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). “Akhilesh Yadav has announced that he is working on the formation of a third front with other leaders. Why doesn’t he work for a second front? They should form a front for a head-to-head fight with the BJP. If you mention three leaders — Mamata Banerjee, KCR (Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao) and Arvind Kejriwal — how many votes can these three leaders garner in UP for Akhilesh ji? He (Akhilesh) is forming the third front because he wants to help the BJP form a government through the backdoor,” Rajbhar alleged.

Rajbhar’s SBSP was a part of the umbrella alliance the SP formed for the state elections. However, soon after the polls, the two parties parted ways after the relationship became bitter. The SBSP managed to win six Assembly seats.”He should go meet Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, and should also meet Mayawati. These leaders should announce a PM candidate too. I am seeing the statements of Rahul ji and Akhilesh ji. The SP chief is saying that he will not ally with the BSP, the Congress, or other parties. This means he is creating the third front to give a walkover to the BJP. The whole country knows that the way to Delhi is through UP. Then, Akhilesh ji thinks Congress is weak, then the BSP is an option. It is a national party with an organisational structure across the country.”

Rajbhar went on to say, “How many seats can KCR, Lalu ji, Kejriwal or Mamata ji help SP win in UP? Zero. But Mayawati, Congress, Om Prakash Rajbhar can help him (Akhilesh) win seats in UP. Then, why doesn’t he go to these leaders? He (Akhilesh) is scared of ED and CBI. If an alliance with the BSP, the SBSP and the Congress is formed by the SP, then it will win 50 seats out of 80. This should be the second front. Not the third.”

In recent months, Akhilesh has met Mamata Banerjee, KCR, and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, among others. Akhilesh has said he will be equidistant from the Congress and the BJP in the run-up to the general elections.