In June 2017, the BJP MPs in Rajya Sabha demanded an apology from Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agarwal for using controversial words against Hindu gods. The ensuing ruckus had even led to the adjournment of the upper house.
All that has since been forgiven. Agarwal, on Monday, joined the BJP in presence of Union minister Piyush Goyal. He decided to switch sides after the Samajwadi Party decided to renominate Jaya Bachchan to Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. Agarwal was also hoping for a renomination after his term had expired recently.
The motormouth leader, who had even taken on PM Narendra Modi in the past, seemed to be in no mood to relent as he took potshots at Bachchan without taking her name. "A woman who dances in the films has been given a ticket. My ticket has been canceled because of this. I don't agree with this. No one agreed with this decision. But I have not come to the BJP with any demand for a Rajya Sabha ticket," Agarwal said after formally joining the saffron party.
Agarwal said his son, Nitin, who is also a Samajwadi Party MLA, would also join the BJP.
Also Read
- Lok Sabha polls: Why did Akhilesh Yadav file his nomination from Kannauj?
- Battle for Bengaluru explained: Who are in fray and what is at stake
- Will BJP field Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from Kaiserganj?
- Sam Pitroda says '55% inheritance tax' remark twisted by BJP to divert attention
- UP: Congress wants to implement Sharia law in the country, says Yogi Adityanath
Justifying his decision to join the saffron fold, he said he wanted to work for the country and added that he could have done much more if he was part of a national party. Further, he praised PM Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath, saying he was impressed by the work these two leaders have been carrying out.
He further said he will continue to respect Mulayam Singh and Ramgopal Yadav, and added that the way the SP was aligning with different parties indicate that its influence is waning.
A seven-time MLA from Hardoi, Agarwal was with the Congress before joining the SP. Interestingly, he joined the BJP two days ahead of the bypolls results to Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seats where the SP joined hands with the BSP to take on the BJP.
The opposition parties in the state are feeling the heat because of the BJP's massive majority in the state elections. Unless the opposition parties adopted innovative ideas, they stand to have little chance against an aggressive BJP under Yogi Adityanath.
Earlier, SP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia had switched sides to join the BJP. He was also present on the stage as Agarwal was formally inducted into the BJP at the party's new headquarters.