SP, allies incompatible, says Adityanath
The Hindu
Mocks ties between Muslims, Hindu OBCs
Can the “followers” of Maharaja Suheldev and Salar Masood join hands, asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday as he accused previous governments in the State of not according samman (honour) to the legendary backward caste warrior Suheldev.
The main Opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) has emerged as a strong challenger for the 2022 Assembly elections and has allied with several small, OBC-based parties including the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) of Om Prakash Rajbhar, which stakes claim to the legacy of Suheldev.
Mr. Adityanath’s reference to the differences between the followers of Suheldev and Salar Masood reiterates the BJP’s discourse questioning the compatibility between Muslims and Hindu backward castes and Dalit voters. and in effect the alliance of SP and SBSP. The BJP has repeatedly spoken of the SP as a party that favours Muslims.