Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party Rejoins NDA, Strengthens Alliance for 2024 Lok Sabha Battle in Uttar Pradesh

New Delhi, July 16, 2023: The Om Prakash Rajbhar-led Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) has officially rejoined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in preparation for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the development in a tweet after a meeting with OP Rajbhar on Sunday.

“Met Shri @oprajbhar ji in Delhi and decided to join the NDA alliance led by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji. I welcome him to the NDA family,” Shah tweeted.

He further emphasized that Rajbhar’s inclusion will bolster the NDA’s presence in Uttar Pradesh and strengthen the efforts made by the alliance, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the welfare of the underprivileged.

Speculations regarding SBSP’s return to the NDA had been circulating, particularly after Rajbhar’s recent meeting with Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak at the latter’s residence in Lucknow.

While both Rajbhar and SBSP’s General Secretary Arun downplayed the meeting as “personal,” it hinted at the party’s inclination towards rejoining the NDA.

Various key figures within the NDA, including Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, have been involved in discussions about a possible tie-up with SBSP.

Reports suggest that the BJP is interested in an arrangement similar to that with the Nishad party, offering a Lok Sabha ticket from Ghazipur to Rajbhar’s son and a cabinet minister position to Om Prakash in Yogi Adityanath’s government.

However, there have been divergent views on the seat-sharing formula, with the BJP reportedly open to offering only one seat to SBSP, while the latter is pushing for around three to four Lok Sabha seats, citing its ability to win those in association with the BJP.