Rajbhar 'shattered' decorum of alliance dharma: BJP

Hours after Om Prakash Rajbhar was sacked from the Uttar Pradesh council of ministers, the BJP said he has shattered the decorum of alliance dharma by continuously speaking against the party despite being an ally.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recommended to governor the immediate sacking of Rajbhar, also the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief, from his cabinet for his outbursts against senior NDA partner BJP.

Governor Ram Naik accepted the recommendation and relieved Rajbhar from his post of Backward Class Welfare and Divyangjan Empowerment Minister, an official spokesperson said here.

"The BJP is a party which gives full respect to its allies and honors the coalition dharma. But, it is unfortunate that our alliance partner in UP, Om Prakash Rajbhar, not just violated the decorum of alliance dharma, but shattered it. It is for this reason that the party and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were compelled to take such a strong step," state BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey said in a statement here.

"Despite staying in alliance (NDA), Rajbhar continuously made statements against the BJP and the BJP-led UP government. He also opposed various policies of the state government," he added.

Pandey said Rajbhar construed the BJP's "decorum" and "tolerance" as its "weakness".

"He not only fielded candidates against the BJP in this Lok Sabha election but also openly supported candidates of rival political parties. Despite this, we exercised restraint," the BJP leader said.

Pandey, however, hoped that the Rajbhar community will continue to support the BJP.

He alleged that Rajbhar had "deceived" the community which gave him an identity.

Adityanath also recommended to the governor that all other SBSP members holding the rank of minister of state be removed immediately, the spokesperson said here.

Rajbhar has often been making controversial statements against the saffron party, the latest being during the Lok Sabha election campaign when he said that BJP members should be "thrashed" with shoes.

On Monday he welcomed the decision by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to sack him from the state cabinet though it would have been better if taken earlier.

Asked about the possibility of going with the BSP-SP-RLD alliance, Rajbhar, who heads the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), said he would discuss about it later.

"We welcome the decision (to sack me). The decision taken by the chief minister was a delayed one," Rajbhar said. "Had the decision been taken around 20 days ago, it would have been much better."

"By taking the decision, he (Adityanath) has proved he does not approve of the war waged by Om Prakash Rajbhar," he told reporters here.

The comments came hours after Adityanath recommended to the governor immediate sacking of Rajbhar for his outbursts against the BJP.

Rajbhar expressed his resentment towards the BJP which did not agree to the conditions for allying with SBSP in the state.

"I was only demanding one seat in the Lok Sabha election. We are a party. And if we do not contest, then what message will we give to our party workers and people?" he asked.

Asked what would be his future strategy, Rajbhar said: "I was born alone, I will walk alone. We will take our views to the people and spread awareness among the backward castes about their rights."

Rajbhar alleged that Adityanath did not have time to implement the recommendations of the social justice committee.

"If Om Prakash Rajbhar speaks about improvement in primary education to the children poor households, then it is bad," he said.

Rajbhar pointed out to the liquor ban in Gujarat and Bihar, claiming that if he talked about implementing the prohibition in the state, Adiyanath would not endorse it.