It would be worth mentioning Om Prakash Rajbhar who was cabinet Minister in Yogi Government not only resigned from his post but also announced to field candidates in almost all the seats in eastern UP. Rajbhar community belongs to most backward community category and has very good presence in eastern UP.

Keeping in mind the presence of Rajbhar community and their influence in electoral politics, BJP entered into alliance with SBSP in 2017 assembly polls and gave eight seats.

Out of eight seats, SBSP won four seats and party President Om Prakash Rajbhar was made cabinet Minister in Yogi Government. After becoming minister Om Prakash Rajbhar started demanding sub-quota within reservation for OBC.

Rajbhar sought appointment with PM and BjP national President Amit Shah to press for his demands. BJP leadership ignored the demands of Rajbhar who also boycotted programs of PM and Amit Shah.

Significantly, Om Prakash Rajbhar was not present when PM Narendra Modi released postal stamp of Suheldeo.

Shocked by the treatment meted out to his party and demands for sub-quota, Rajbhar quit the government, came out of NDA and announced to field more then 30 candidates in eastern UP to oppose BJP.

Rajbhar charged BJP of conspiracy to get the nominations of party in three Lok Sabha constituencies Mirjapur, Maharajganj and Basgaon facing polling on May 19.

Now SBJP has decided to support anti-BJP candidates in Mirzapur Maharajganj and Basgaon. SBSP will support Congress candidate Laliteshwar Tripathi in Mirzapur while SP-BSP-RLD alliance in the other two constituencies.

SBSP leaders claimed after refusing to accept demands of their party, PM Narendra Modi himself started claiming as MBC.

It may be mentioned that SBSP was demanding five Lok Sabha seats in eastern UP. They are Ghosi Jaunpur Ambedkar Nagar Chandauli Lalganj or Machhli Sahar. BJP refused these seats. (IPA Service)