Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, on Sunday, indicated the possibility of major opposition parties in various states joining hands to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election. The SBSP is a former ally of the BJP in the state of Uttar Pradesh for the recently concluded 2022 state assembly election. The party left the alliance due to reservation issues. The SBSP subsequently joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) faction led by Akhilesh Yadav.
OP Rajbhar mentioned the formation of an “anti-BJP” alliance while addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the two-day training programme for party workers in Lucknow. Rajbhar said that he recently met with All-India Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and that talks are underway with regard to this coalition. He added, “Our duty is to make efforts and bring everyone on one platform. Let’s see if it (opposition alliance for 2024 polls) happens.” He noted that the SBSP’s alliance with the Samajwadi Party in UP will remain the same.
The SBSP chief said that during the two-day training programme, party workers were asked to redirect their resources toward the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election. He added, “The SBSP workers will organise meetings in all villages to create awareness among the masses about the anti-people policies of the BJP government. We will urge people to join the SBSP.” The party members have also been directed to stay active on the ground as well as on social media platforms to gain support from the people.
Reportedly, no other opposition party has confirmed joining the coalition or the possibility of the same, while some leaders such as the Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, have stated that they will not be forming any alliances and will try to defeat the BJP on their own. The Delhi CM has denied the AAP’s participation saying that he does not understand the need to ally with 10-20 parties to defeat anyone. “I will only enter into an alliance with 130 crore people of the country to make India number one in the world,” said Kejriwal.
