Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 29 December, laid the foundation stone of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur – and released a commemorative postal stamp on the Rajbhar community icon, Raja Suheldev Rajbhar.
Addressing a rally in Ghazipur, Modi spoke about making Purvanchal, which comprises eastern Uttar Prasad, especially regions around Varanasi, a hub for medical care by building a Rs 250 crore medical college and hospital, strengthening zilla hospitals with ambulances and building 100-bed maternity hospitals.
However, his scheduled rallies in Ghazipur – and Varanasi – have been marred amid the growing unrest among partners of Uttar Pradesh’s ruling alliance.
Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and minister Om Prakash Rajbhar boycotted the rally even as the BJP is purported to be focusing on a BJP candidate instead, from the numerically significant Rajbhar caste in the state.
“This is nothing new. We have not been attending any programme for the last 21 months. Since the time the government was formed, we have not attended any BJP event, be it a CM event or a PM event... They have not implemented the recommendations of the social justice committee. With 100 days left for polls, what will they do implementing it now?”Om Prakash Rajbhar, Minister of Backward Class Welfare
Ashish Patel, the chief of Apna Dal, another coalition partner, along with Rajbhar, has expressed his displeasure at being neglected by the bigger NDA partner, too.
“Arrogant attitude of BJP UP leaders is insulting weaker sections of society. I appeal to the Prime Minister to intervene. Till the time the matter is not solved, we will not be part of any government programmes in the state, including his event in Ghazipur. We are confident that Amit Shah will hear us out,” he said.
In the 2017 Assembly polls, the BJP had sought to placate the community by making Om Prakash Rajbhar a state Cabinet minister.
The SBSP also alleged that their party leader was disrespected as the invitation did not contain the minister’s full name. “Rajbhar has been deliberately omitted from the name,” the party alleged.
BJP Says the Rally is to Thank Modi for his Efforts
“While the Prime Minister is coming to the district to mainly inaugurate a postal ticket of Raja Suheldev and also lay foundation stone of a medical college and make announcements for the region, the rally is being organised to thank him for the development of the region,” said Bhanu Pratap Singh, district president of BJP in Ghazipur.
Asked if the SBSP chief will be present at the meet, Singh said, “I am not sure. Since it is a rally to thank Modi, everyone is welcome. He is a member of the ally, and is also welcome.”
According to The Indian Express, the BJP wants to showcase its own strength. It may be mentioned that about a month back, when the party had held a meeting for Rajbhar community in the state capital, while holding separate meetings for every OBC sub-caste, the SBSP chief was conspicuous by his absence. He had alleged that he was not invited.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)