Bharat Jodo Yatra: Mayawati may face another setback? BSP MP joined Bharat Jodo Yatra

BSP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur constituency, Shyam Singh Yadav, joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi on Saturday. He walked with Rahul Gandhi in different areas of Delhi for about three hours.

Would have attended Bharat Jodo Yatra even if I had not been invited – BSP MP

Shyam Singh Yadav, 68, a former bureaucrat, lauded the Bharat Jodo Yatra for its aim of connecting people across dividing lines of caste, religion and politics. He said he attended the yatra in his personal capacity at the invitation of Rahul Gandhi, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Explain that Rahul Gandhi has sent personal letters to several opposition leaders and MPs urging them to join him in his journey for harmony, freedom and democracy in the national interest. Speaking to The Indian Express, Shyam Singh Yadav, a first-time MP, said, “Congress leaders personally urged me to attend the yatra, but I would have attended anyway even if they had not invited me Because my heart is with them.”

Speculations of alliance between BSP-Congress

Her participation in Rahul Gandhi’s march gave rise to speculation of a possible warming of relations between the Mayawati-led BSP and the Congress in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Regarding this, Shyam Yadav said, “Rahul Gandhi’s yatra is a non-partisan yatra. He is inviting everyone to visit. He invited me through a personal invitation. In Parliament, Sonia Gandhiji and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary also asked me to join the yatra. Also the purpose of the trip is good. Please tell that Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on ‘Always Atal’.

Accusing the BJP of breaking India instead of joining India, Shyam Singh Yadav said, “I agree with the purpose of Rahul Gandhi’s visit. He is doing a good job. The BSP MP also said that Rahul showed him a lot of respect during his march and walked with him for about 15 minutes. I am very happy with the way he treated me. The yatra is getting very good response from the public.

However, the BSP has not yet clarified its stand on Shyam Yadav’s move. When contacted, BSP spokesperson Dharamveer Choudhary refrained from commenting on the matter. Shyam Singh Yadav said that if his party raises any objection, he will give his explanation on it. Shyam Yadav retired in 2014 as Special Secretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Shyam Singh Yadav is MP from Jaunpur

Shyam Singh Yadav got the BSP ticket in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Jaunpur, where the Yadav community has a sizeable population. The BSP was then an ally of the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP. Shyam Singh Yadav also served as the BSP leader in the Lok Sabha for a brief period. He is also the working president of All India Yadav Federation.

Please tell that Shyam Singh Yadav represented India in shotgun events in the World Championships held in Shanghai, Malaysia and Italy. He has also been the coach and co-manager of the Indian shooting team in various World Cups and World Championships. He was the coach of the Indian shooting team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He has also served in National Rifle Association of India and UP State Rifle Association.