Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Former Independent MP and MLA Dhananjay Singh has given a call to support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jaunpur Lok Sabha constituency. The development has come after his wife Shrikala Reddy, who was earlier declared candidate by Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party's (BJP) from this constituency, was replaced. Polling in Jaunpur is scheduled to take place in the sixth phase on May 25.
Shrikala Reddy has been replaced by sitting MP in Jaunpur Shyam Singh Yadav.
Addressing a gathering of his supporters, the former lawmaker praised the present government in the state saying we should support it.
Hitting out at BSP, Dhananjay Singh earlier said, "My wife is feeling hurt due to this."
Dhananjay Singh, who was elected as an MP from Jaunpur in 2009 on a BSP ticket, said, “The BSP has betrayed me for the fourth time. In 2012, 2014, and 2017, the party assured me of a ticket but cheated me at the last moment."
It is noteworthy that earlier this week, the Lokayukta launched a probe against Dhananjay Singh over allegations of an illegal land deal, which is also being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.
On March 6, a court in Jaunpur sentenced Dhananjay Singh to seven-year rigorous imprisonment in a 2020 case of kidnapping and extortion of a Namami Gange project manager.
However, the Allahabad High Court granted him bail on April 27 but refused his plea to suspend or stay the sentence.
Dhananjay Singh wields considerable support in the constituency and is often referred to as the kingmaker. The BJP candidate in Jaunpur is Kripa Shankar Singh, a former minister of state in the Maharashtra government.
Meanwhile, in another development, Raghuraj Pratap Singh aka Raja Bhaiya has not declared support for any party as the Lok Sabha elections are progressing in the country. The chief of Jansatta Dal has asked voters to vote as per their discretion.
Raja Bhaiya, who heads the Jansatta Dal, wields considerable influence in Kunda and Babaganj -- two Assembly segments under the Kaushambhi Lok Sabha seat.
Vinod Sonkar, the BJP candidate in Kaushambhi, met Raja Bhaiya earlier in the day to seek his support.
Interestingly, both Dhananjay Singh and Raja Bhaiya held meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the past three days.
With inputs from agencies
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