Om Prakash Rajbhar’s SBSP becomes part of NDA ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

SBSP Chief Om Prakash Rajbhar Joins BJP-led NDA

The Suhaildev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief, Om Prakash Rajbhar, announced on Sunday that his party will be joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This move is expected to strengthen the BJP’s hold on the politically crucial east Uttar Pradesh region, particularly among the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Meeting with Amit Shah

Rajbhar’s decision to join the NDA comes after a meeting with Union Home Minister and BJP’s chief poll strategist, Amit Shah, in New Delhi. This meeting took place months after Rajbhar broke ties with the Samajwadi Party, with whom he had contested the UP assembly polls.

Announcement by Amit Shah

The alliance between the BJP and SBSP was announced by Amit Shah himself, who tweeted that the partnership with Rajbhar will help improve the lives of the poor and deprived sections of society. Rajbhar also confirmed the alliance in a press conference and expressed his support for the NDA’s increasing strength across the country. He will be attending the NDA meet in New Delhi on July 18.

Electoral Fortunes and Cabinet Speculations

Rajbhar has reportedly requested to field his party’s candidates from at least two seats in Uttar Pradesh, namely Ghazipur and Ghosi. There are also speculations that he may be accommodated in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet in the future. The Rajbhar community, with its sizable population in east UP districts, is considered influential in determining the electoral outcomes of political parties.

SP MLA Dara Singh Chauhan’s Exit

The BJP-SBSP alliance comes on the heels of Samajwadi Party MLA Dara Singh Chauhan’s resignation from the UP assembly and his meeting with Amit Shah. Chauhan, also an OBC, is expected to join the BJP soon and has shown interest in contesting the next Lok Sabha elections from Ghosi.