Bungalow to Shivpal proves he is under BJP's protection: UP minister

Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar claimed that the allotment of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's bungalow and provision of Z-plus security to Samajwadi Secular Morcha leader Shivpal Yadav showed that he had started working for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking to ANI, the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) leader said, "Allotting bungalow and giving Z+ security to Shivpal Yadav clearly gives the message that he is being given protection by the BJP and has started working for the BJP."

On October 12, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government had allotted Mayawati's old bungalow to Shivpal Yadav in line with a Supreme Court directive.

Rajbhar on October 14 had warned the BJP that it will pay dearly in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections if it ignored the backward and the poor.

Furthermore, Rajbhar warned its ally that it will not be able to win seats from Uttar Pradesh unless the party delivers on the promise of providing 27 per cent reservation to backward and most backward classes.

On the occasion, he also reminded the BJP of the defeat it had to concede during the Phulpur, Gorakhpur, Kairana and Noorpur by-polls and said that if the right steps are not taken, history might repeat itself in 2019.