We are not in SP-BSP alliance, says Sanjay Nishad

Just three days after formally joining the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party led 'gathbandhan' in Uttar Pradesh, Nishad Party has severed its ties with the grand alliance over allegedly being denied its share in the Lok Sabha seats in the state.

"The Nishad Party has taken a decision that we are not with the 'gathbandhan.' We are free, and can fight elections independently or can look for new options as well. The party is free now," said Sanjay Nishad, chief of the Nishad Party.

"Akhilesh Yadav has given assurance that he will announce about from where the Nishad Party will contest polls. He promised one seat from his quota. But we are nowhere neither on the posters of 'gathbandhan' nor on banners. Nothing has been announced till date," said Nishad.

Nishad Party and Janvadi Party (Socialist) on Tuesday joined the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party led 'gathbandhan' in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of SP president Akhilesh Yadav.

In March 2018 bye-polls, Sanjay Nishad's son Pravin successfully contested on the SP ticket from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat.

As per the present electoral arrangement, SP, BSP, and RLD are in a seat-sharing alliance in Uttar Pradesh in which SP will contest 37 seats, BSP 38 and RLD three. The alliance has decided not to contest two seats, Rae Bareli and Amethi.

Earlier in February, Akhilesh had said that many small regional players were part of the SP-BSP alliance and all other parties should come together to oust BJP from power at the Centre in the coming Lok Sabha polls.