Prime Minister Narendra Modi put the foundation stone of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur on Saturday, 29 December he also released a commemorative postal stamp on the Rajbhar community icon, Raja Suheldev Rajbhar.
Addressing a rally in Ghazipur, Modi spoke about making Purvanchal, which comprises eastern Uttar Prasad, especially regions around Varanasi, a hub for medical care by building a Rs 250 crore medical college and hospital, strengthening zilla hospitals with ambulances and building 100 bed maternity hospitals.
Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and minister Om Prakash Rajbhar boycotted the rally even as the BJP is said to be only focusing on a BJP candidate instead, from the numerically significant Rajbhar caste in the state.
Om Prakash Rajbhar said: “This is nothing new. We have not been attending any programme for the last 21 months. Since the time the government was formed, we have not attended any BJP event, be it a CM event or a PM event… They have not implemented the recommendations of the social justice committee. With 100 days left for polls, what will they do implementing it now.”
Ashish Patel, the chief of Apna Dal, another coalition partner, along with Rajbhar, has expressed his displeasure at being neglected by the bigger NDA partner, too.
“Arrogant attitude of BJP UP leaders is insulting weaker sections of society. I appeal to the Prime Minister to intervene. Till the time the matter is not solved, we will not be part of any government programmes in the state, including his event in Ghazipur. We are confident that Amit Shah will hear us out,” he said.
The SBSP also alleged that their party leader was disrespected as the invitation did not contain the minister’s full name. “Rajbhar has been deliberately omitted from the name,” the party alleged.
