By Pradeep Kapoor
LUCKNOW: NDA partner Apna Dal (S) headed by Union Minister Anupriya Patel and her husband Asheesh Patel is heading for a split two years before assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh scheduled in 2027.On the occasion of birth anniversary of the founder of Apna Dal Dr Sonelal Patel, the two factions of Apna Dal confronted openly blaming each other being responsible for the decline of the party.
Speaking on the occasion of birth anniversary Dr Sonelal Patel, his son-in-law and minister in Yogi government Asheesh Patel hinted that certain leaders from alliance were involved in conspiracy to finish Apna Dal.
He went ahead with his charges and claimed that more than Rs 1000 crore we’re being , spent to damage Apna Dal committed to fighting for the backward communities. Asheesh Patel said that whenever his wife and union minister Anupriya Patel brought schemes for social justice for backward communities, his party became target of attack.
He said that his party had all through been demanding caste census which was accepted by the Central government. He also charged that certain leaders were scared of growing popularity of Apna Dal (S).
Significantly Union Minister Anupriya Patel and her husband Asheesh Patel praised PM Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah but at same time very were critical of alliance leaders.
It would be worth mentioning here that Apna Dal leader Asheesh Patel was targeted by his sister-in-law Pallavi Patel SP MLA stating that huge amount was taken by his ministry in the appointment of teachers. At that time Asheesh Patel had alleged that there was threat to his life from STF chief.
On the other hand, Pallavi Patel wrote to Governor Ananandi Bai Patel and requested for high level probe against her brother–in-law and state minister Asheesh Patel of Apna Dal. Now a separate mocha has been formed by the leaders who had been with Apna Dal (S) and other smaller groups but left the party during last few years.
The convenor of Morcha Brijendra Pratap Singh said he was the main leader of Apna Dal (S) and claimed support of nine out of 13 MLAs of the group. He further claimed that he would show the MLAs strength if directed by the central leadership of NDA. Brijendra Pratap Singh said that his group would support NDA and show the real strength at an appropriate time.
Apna Dal (S) joined NDA only after meeting between Anupriya Patel and Union Home minister Amit Shah.
Apna Dal had good base in kurmi backward dominated assembly constituencies in UP. Significantly, small parties like Apna Dal and Nishad Party gained due alliance with BJP which resulted in one MP in Lok Sabha and 13 MLAs.
Apna Dal (s) emerged as third largest group in UP Assembly and exhibited it’s strength in eastern, western and Bundelkhand regions of UP. During birth anniversary function of Dr Sonelal Patel, Apna Dal leader Asheesh Patel managed to show all the MLAs with him
Meanwhile state president Jatav RP Gautam has written a letter to government to remove all the relatives of the rebels nominated to important positions in the state government.
There are reports that a certain senior leader from BJP is patronising the rebels to reduce the bargaining power of caste based regional parties. But for the support from the important leader from NDA it would not have been possible for rebels to come out in open and weaken the alliance partner. (IPA Service)
