Image Credits - reddif.com
On February 13, Senior Samajwadi Party figure, Swami Prasad Maurya, announced his resignation from the position of the party’s national general secretary. He stated his commitment to continue supporting and strengthening the SP, albeit without holding any official post.
In his resignation letter addressed to Party President Akhilesh Yadav, Mr. Maurya expressed his dedication to continuing his efforts to bolster the party, emphasizing that he would do so without holding any official position.
Mr Maurya publicly shared his resignation letter on social media platforms. A member of the state legislative council representing the SP, Mr. Maurya had previously switched allegiance from the BJP to the Samajwadi Party before the 2022 polls. He also ran as a candidate in the Assembly elections from Fazilnagar constituency but was unsuccessful in his bid.
संज्ञानार्थ,@yadavakhilesh@samajwadiparty pic.twitter.com/SYPBhEvhe8
— Swami Prasad Maurya (@SwamiPMaurya) February 13, 2024
Maurya, a former BJP member had resigned from his position as a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath ministry and from the BJP itself just a month before the assembly elections in 2022, dealt a significant blow to the party. He cited the BJP’s perceived injustices toward various societal segments as the reason for his resignation. BJP countered, asserting that his resignation was prompted by his son being denied a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) ticket for the upcoming 2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election.
After joining the Samajwadi Party ahead of the 2022 elections, Maurya contested from Fazilnagar instead of his stronghold Padrauna but lost to BJP’s Surendra Kumar Kushwaha. The constituency’s political dynamics were complex, with various communities expressing mixed opinions. Despite Maurya’s significant following, BJP’s mobilization efforts among non-Yadav OBCs and upper castes, as well as the support for other candidates like Ilyas Ansari from the Bahujan Samaj Party, influenced the outcome.
Following his entry into the Samajwadi Party, Maurya assumed the role of General Secretary. In subsequent months, he made controversial remarks about the Ramcharitmanas and the Gyanvapi mosque issue, criticizing BJP’s handling of religious matters and accusing them of exploiting divisive issues for political gain. He also highlighted alleged power structures in the country and criticized the BJP’s approach to Hinduism, advocating for the empowerment of marginalized communities.
Maurya’s statements stirred debate and drew criticism, particularly from political opponents. However, he remained steadfast in his support for opposition unity and expressed confidence in the INDIA coalition’s ability to challenge the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
