The decision to part ways with the Samajwadi Party (SP) was a fallout of “ideological differences”, Manoj Pandey, the rebel SP MLA from Unchahar assembly seat who joined the BJP in Raebareli, told News18 in an interview, adding that the country needs leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take development to new heights.
Pandey also slammed Swami Prasad Maurya, former SP leader and president of Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party, for making derogatory remarks against the Ramcharitmanas as well as burning its pages.
On his decision to join BJP, Pandey said the move was expected. “Almost two years ago, when Maurya first spoke ill of the Ramcharitmanas, I was the first one to register my protest. It took me a mere 27 seconds to react. I told him that this is beyond what I can tolerate,” he said.
In January 2023, Lucknow Police had named Maurya and nine others — belonging to an outfit called Akhil Bharatiya OBC Mahasabha — for burning pages of the Ramcharitmanas in the capital’s Vrindavan area. The FIR was lodged on a complaint by BJP leader Satnam Singh Lavi.
Pandey said he had also opposed Maurya’s controversial remark mocking the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ or consecration ceremony of Lord Ram’s statue in Ayodhya. “Being a part of the party, I took the matter to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, demanding his intervention. But, surprisingly, he was okay with the statement and asked me to let it slide,” said Pandey.
Pandey — the former chief whip of SP who had cross-voted in favour of BJP candidates during the Rajya Sabha elections held in February this year — said that was the day he decided to part ways. “Sanatan ka support bhi aur virodh bhi, aisa toh nahi chal sakta na [We can’t support and oppose Sanatan at the same time],” he said.
Pandey also expressed gratitude to Shah for visiting him at his residence. The home minister had paid a visit to the ex-SP leader two days ago to persuade him to join the BJP. The saffron party’s Raebareli candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh was also present at the meeting.
Pandey said the country needs leaders like PM Modi, Shah and Adityanath and he is with them in their mission to take the nation’s development to another level. Besides, he said in the remaining phases of 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he would campaign for the BJP’s candidates in the fray.
On Friday, Pandey shared the dais with Shah during a rally which was called in support of the party candidates from Raebareli and Amethi.
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