2019 LS polls: SP announces tie-up with Nishad Party, 2 other outfits

Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party on Tuesday announced an alliance with the Nishad Party, Janwadi Party (Socialist) and the Rashtriya Samanta Dal for the April-May Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh.

The SP has earlier tied up with the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) to take on the BJP.

"Nishad Party, Janwadi Party (Socialist) and Rashtriya Samanta Dal will work for ensuring success of alliance candidates throughout the state," SP chief Akhilesh Yadav told a joint press conference with leaders of these parties here.

Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats. Yadav alleged that the BJP was using a governor, government agencies and the media for its campaign.

Attacking the BJP, he said, "The main issue for BJP in these polls are only opposition and 'chowkidar' and campaigners of the BJP are governor, government agencies and media."

He was referring to Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh's statement that Narendra Modi should become the Prime Minister once again.

Yadav also said the BJP, in the last five years, has driven unemployment and insulted farmers, while its political strategies are social media, hate and money, with the Opposition being its key agenda.

Last week, the SP leader had alleged that the BJP is the "most casteist party" in the country and should not give out lessons on socialism.

War of words between different political parties is intensifying with the Lok Sabha election dates inching closer.

On March 23, Singh, talking to reporters in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh had said, "We all are BJP workers and we want the BJP to emerge victoriously. We want that Modi ji should become the prime minister. It is important for the country."

Replying to a question, Yadav said, "My team is working on issues that are to be taken up. We will come out with a manifesto soon."