New Delhi, February 22nd, 2024 : At a rally today in Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium, veteran leader Swami Prasad Maurya announced the formation of his new party, the Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party (RSSP), in a move that could upend the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh. This occurs just one week after he abruptly left the Samajwadi Party (SP), citing philosophical disagreements with Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the party.
Throughout his political career, Swami Prasad Maurya, a well-known Dalit leader, has occupied important roles in a number of parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the SP at the moment. With his departure from the SP and the formation of his own party, the RSSP, Akhilesh Yadav may face competition in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
VIDEO | Former Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya (@SwamiPMaurya) launches his political party -Rashtriya Shoshit Samaaj Party (RSSP) in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/tnRVadsZcu
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 22, 2024
Swami Prasad Maurya's Allegations and SP's Response:
Maurya accused the SP with discriminatory practices and straying from its socialist manifesto. He also questioned Akhilesh Yadav’s dedication to secularism, pointing to his puja performance inside the office building as an illustration. Nonetheless, the SP played down Maurya’s exit, characterizing it as a “normal aspect” of party leaders quitting. They also reaffirmed their dedication to socialist principles and supported Akhilesh Yadav’s leadership.
संज्ञानार्थ,@yadavakhilesh@samajwadiparty pic.twitter.com/SYPBhEvhe8
— Swami Prasad Maurya (@SwamiPMaurya) February 13, 2024
RSSP's Potential Impact:
Even though the RSSP is a relatively new party, the SP may face serious challenges in the forthcoming elections due to Maurya’s background and influence among Dalit voters. The party’s emphasis on underprivileged communities is consistent with Maurya’s previous statements, which may draw supporters who feel excluded from the current political system.
राष्ट्रीय शोषित समाज पार्टी - LIVE BROADCAST#RSSP #SwamiPrasadMaurya #UttarPradesh https://t.co/8xuA8SDWpQ
— Rashtriya Shoshit Samaaj Party (@officialrssp) February 22, 2024
It is unclear how the RSSP will actually affect the electoral environment. The success of the party will rely on its capacity to raise support, especially from Dalit voters, and negotiate Uttar Pradesh’s intricate political landscape. Maurya’s action adds another degree of uncertainty to the already unstable political environment in the state as the Lok Sabha elections draw near.
