Om Prakash Rajbhar discussed his priorities at length, hinted at induction into Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet, but remained tight-lipped on portfolio allocation. (Photo: News18)
In an interview with News18, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, who recently joined hands with the NDA, said, at present, the only goal is ‘Mission 2024’ and to bring Modi back as the prime minister for the third time.
Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “harbinger of change” and praised the BJP for his pro-Muslim and pro-backward class approach to welfare. In an interview to News18, perhaps after announcing his return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Rajbhar discussed his priorities in detail, hinted at joining Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet, but remained silent on portfolio allocation. Rajbhar said of Modi, “He only wants to serve the public.”
On distribution of tickets, allocation of portfolios and other important issues with regard to next year’s Lok Sabha elections, Rajbhar said the final decision will be taken by PM Modi, who will soon hold a meeting with all 39 parties to decide on it.
edited interview
Question: With your return to the NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, there is speculation that the Yogi Adityanath cabinet in Uttar Pradesh will be reshuffled to accommodate you and Dara Singh Chouhan after quitting the Samajwadi Party (SP). To what extent is this correct?
Answer: I am a sevak and believe in serving people, which I have been doing for so many years. So, I want a department where I can serve the humanity. However, the final decision on ticket distribution, seat ratio will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting to be held in the next few days.
Q: OBC reservation, liquor ban and other social issues have been raised by you and your party from time to time, but the UP government is yet to give its opinion on them. So what is the reason for your change in stance?
Answer: Our issues and agenda are still the same and we will continue to serve the people with the same spirit and enthusiasm. Recently, when I met PM Modi, I placed before him all my issues, long pending demands. He appreciated our concern and assured us that all this will be resolved soon, at present, the only target is ‘Mission 2024’ and to bring back Modi as PM for the third time.
Q: Since you have announced your return to NDA, what will be the status of jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari’s son Abbas Ansari, who contested from Mau seat on SBSP ticket and won 38,116 votes defeating BJP candidate Ashok Singh. Won by votes. In 2022 UP elections. Will he also be a part of NDA?
Answer: Abbas Ansari was the SP candidate. But since the SBSP had an alliance with the SP in the 2022 state assembly elections, he was allowed to contest from Mau on an SBSP ticket. Ansari had won the last assembly election on our party’s ticket, he will continue to be our party’s MLA.
Question: In one of your recent statements, you have called the Prime Minister a ‘harbinger of change’ and described the BJP as the only party with a pro-Muslim and pro-backward approach that is working relentlessly for their welfare. How?
Answer: Till 15 years back, opening a bank account used to be a struggle for a common man. It was PM Narendra Modi ji who made this possible and now the benefits are being transferred to their bank accounts. He made all this possible. He is the harbinger of change. In fact, BJP is one of the political parties which has actually done something for OBCs. Ayushman Card, Free Ration, Jan Dhan Yojana are some such schemes whose benefits have reached every person.