New Delhi: In a major boost for the Congress party in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh just days before the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, the party on Saturday bagged two key leaders from the state in its fold — sitting former BJP MP from Bahraich Savitribai Phule and veteran Samajwadi Party leader and ex MP from Fatehpur Rakesh Sachan.
Both the leaders formally joined the Congress in the national capital in the presence of party president Rahul Gandhi.
Mr Sachan, who was an MP from Fatehpur in 2009 as well as two-time MLA and considered close to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, is being seen as a prize catch by the Congress.
Political observers said that Mr Sachan had been tipped off by SP leadership as its nominee for the forthcoming 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Fatehpur. However last month, when the party announced its seat sharing with BSP, the constituency went to the latter. Miffed by the development, the senior leader broke ranks with the Samajwadi Party and joined the Congress.
Ms Phule, a first time MP, had resigned from BJP in December last year after being critical of the party’s leadership. She is considered a key Dalit leader of eastern Uttar Pradesh and had alleged that the BJP leadership was dividing the society and her voice was not being heard within the party as she was a Dalit. She had however said that she will continue as an MP till the end of her term. At a time when the Congress is desperately trying to strengthen its demoralised cadre in Uttar Pradesh, the induction of two important leaders in its ranks is likely to work as a shot in the arm for the party just prior to Lok Sabha polls.
Sources within Uttar Pradesh Congress told this newspaper that the move is significant as it will rejuvenate the party and they even claimed that these are early days, and as the elections come nearer, many more leaders from SP, BSP and BJP are likely to join Congress.
General secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and general secretary looking after western Uttar Pradesh Jyotiraditya Scindia, were also present on the occasion of the induction of the two leaders.
