Chandrashekhar's Bhim Army extends support to Congress in Saharanpur, SP-BSP on backfoot
As India goes to poll day after tomorrow, the alliance arithmetic of Uttar Pradesh would be a decisive factor in realizing the dream of every political party and in a setback for SP-BSP-RLD alliance, the Bhim Army has extended its support to Congress’ Saharanpur candidate.
The Dalit right activist Chandrashekhar Azad, who earlier was seemed to be supporting the BSP, has later on met Priyanka Gandhi and has now extended support to Congress’ Imran Masood, who is contesting against BSP’s Haji Fazlur Rehman.
Ahead of the joit rally by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in Saharanpur, thousands of Congress workers had gathered around the area but due to the bad weather, the helicopter could not take off and the rally was canceled. But, the members of Bhim Army were also gathered near the venue and Sheila Chakravarti, a member of the outfit said, “All of Bhim Army is with Chandrashekhar Azad and with Imran Masood.”
Another member, Surendra, who was a doctor from Tajpur village said, “When injustice was met out to our Chandrashekhar bhai (his arrest in June 2017 following a cycle of caste-related violence in Saharanpur’s Shabbirpur village), Imran Masood was the first to reach out and try to help him. He didn’t receive any help from the BSP.”
Saharanpur is dominated by the Muslim community, who hold around 42% of the population. And, if Congress’ Imran Masood gets support from Bhim Army, who have a considerable hold in Western UP, it could be game changer and a game over for BSP’s Haji Rehman.
The SP-BSP-RLD alliance held a joint rally in Deoband and narrated their story of ‘gathbandhan’ and asked the Muslim voters not to get divided.
Also read: Congress upset as Rahul Gandhi, sister Priyanka's rallies cancelled in UP
First published: 9 April 2019, 10:53 IST