Lucknow: In a significant political development ahead of the 2017 state Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Beni Prasad Yadav returned to the fold of Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party on Friday.
Verma had left the Samajwadi Party (SP) in 2007 and joined the Congress before the 2009 General Elections.
The return of 75-year-old Kurmi leader in Uttar Pradesh to the SP fold assumes significance ahead of the Assembly polls as another Kurmi leader -- Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar -- is trying to make a dent in the SP votebank.
The Kurmi community is the second most dominant OBC caste and a major force to reckon with in the upcoming elections.
Beni, who met SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence here this morning, made the announcement at a hurriedly convened press conference where Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was present along with some other senior party leaders.
"I was feeling suffocated in the Congress for the past two years. I thank Sonia and Rahulji, but I could not adjust myself in the party in the present scenario. I rejoined the party as I could not oppose Akhilesh Yadav in the coming assembly polls. This party (SP) has been formed by me also and I had named it as Samajwadi Party," Beni said.
Asked about his comments on Mulayam Singh on the issue of Babri mosque demolition, he said, "The time which has gone never comes back. I am not denying anything. For a new start, old things have to be forgotten. Now my objective is to make Akhilesh Chief Minister again."
Earlier, while in Congress, Beni had blamed Mulayam Singh for the demolition.
Welcoming him to the party fold, Mulayam said he did not feel good when Beni left the party.
"His joining the party will strengthen it and boost morale of party workers. We have formed the party together," Mulayam noted.
The Chief Minister said old friends and old wine are always welcomed.
"We will again come to power in 2017 with his (Beni) returning to party fold," he said.
Speculation is rife within the party that Beni might be SP's candidate for Rajya Sabha elections in July when 11 members of the Upper House are retiring and on the basis of SP's strength in the state assembly, Samajwadi party can return six members.
(With PTI Inputs)
