LUCKNOW: A day after claiming that the Samajwadi Party (SP) was heading for a major split, Uttar Pradesh minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Thursday doubled down on his assertion, asserting that a group of disgruntled SP MPs was preparing to break away from the party under the leadership of an MP from Ballia.
Rajbhar said that many people had been asking him about the split he had predicted in the Samajwadi Party. “Listen carefully. The group of rebel MPs in the SP will be led by a son of Uttar Pradesh's ‘rebel land’ Ballia,” Rajbhar posted on X account.
Without naming any MP, Rajbhar claimed that the move had gained momentum following an incident at the SP headquarters during a Brahmin conference. He said that members of the Brahmin community were “insulted” at the event, which had deeply hurt the Ballia leader he referred to.
The Ballia reference has sparked political speculation, though Rajbhar stopped short of identifying the leader he believes could spearhead any potential rebellion within the party. Ballia, as a matter of fact, is represented by SP's Brahmin MP Sanatan Pandey. Pandey could not be reached for comment.
“The plan was already in place, but yesterday's incident acted like fuel to the fire. The split will happen,” Rajbhar said. The SBSP chief said that his remarks have triggered a strong reaction from the “entire Saifai family.” “Instead of engaging in politics through Twitter and press conferences, Akhilesh should start a campaign to save his MPs and personally visit unhappy and disappointed MPs,” Rajbhar said.
Rajbhar's latest remarks come amid an escalating war of words between the ruling NDA allies and the opposition Samajwadi Party. The SP has so far dismissed all such claims of an internal rebellion. There has been no indication from any party MP of plans to leave the organization either.
