MoS Balyan alleges attack by SP neta's kin, Lok Dal cadre; 'Announcement made from mosque'

Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan accused the family members of a Samajwadi Party (SP) neta and Lok Dal cadre of misbehaving with him at Bhaisnwal on Tuesday. The MoS for Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries claimed that the kin of an SP leader misbehaved with him following which he alleged that 5-6 Lok Dal cadre did the same with him while he was attending an event at Soram. Detailing on the issue, MoS Banyal said that a clash had erupted after he had left and claimed that announcements were made from the mosque asking the public to unite against the Minister. 

READ | 2022 UP Polls: SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Claims 'many Of 324 BJP MLAs Will Join Us Soon'

Ahead of the 2022 Uttar Pradesh polls, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday, claimed that many people from other parties were joining SP, while addressing a meeting in Prayagraj. In a startling claim, he said that several people who were with 'those who had 324 seats' - i.e the BJP - will soon join SP. Uttar Pradesh- where Yogi Adityanath holds fort - will go to polls early next year.

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SP: 'No alliance with bigger parties'

Earlier on November 14, Akhilesh Yadav ruled out alliances with any 'larger parties' for the Uttar Pradesh state elections in 2022. Yadav who has previously tied-up with Congress and Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP), has stated that he was open to adjusting estranged uncle Shivpal Yadav's Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party with SP, offering him a cabinet seat. Shivpal, who is former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav's younger brother, left the party and formed his own party -Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party which was recognised officially in October 2018. Recently, bypolls to 7 UP seats were held - with SP winning one seat.

READ | Akhilesh Yadav Rules Out Alliances With 'bigger Parties' For 2022 Uttar Pradesh Polls

Later, after Shivpal Singh Yadav received no 'positive reaction' from Akhilesh Yadav, he met with Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP)'s Om Prakash Rajbhar in Lucknow to stitch an alliance for the 2022 UP polls. While SBSP is eyeing an alliance with AIMIM, Azad Samaj Party; other parties like AAP, Shiv Sena, and JDU have announced that they will be contesting for the UP polls. BSP and SP - both have shut their doors to Congress, opting to ally with smaller parties if needed or go solo. Congress has aggressively campaigned under the leadership of Priyanka Gandhi in the state, eyeing its solo return.

READ | UP Bypolls: Akhilesh Yadav Accuses BJP Of Poll-rigging; 'Will Give Proof After Results'