BJP, Apna Dal strike deal in Uttar Pradesh

The BJP on Monday said it had got into an alliance with Apna Dal, which enjoys some following among the Kurmi community in parts of Uttar Pradesh. The small outfit will contest two seats in the state.

The BJP on Monday said it had got into an alliance with Apna Dal, which enjoys some following among the Kurmi community in parts of Uttar Pradesh. The small outfit will contest two seats in the state.

BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi made the announcement in the presence of its UP affairs in-charge Amit Shah, the lone Apna Dal MLA Anupriya Patel and her mother and its president Krishna Patel.

The BJP hopes the alliance will help it make further inroads into the OBC community, especially in east UP where the Dal has its support base. “It will strengthen BJP and Apna Dal as well,” Shah, a Modi aide and key party strategist, said.

Naqvi said Apna Dal has worked among weaker and backward communities of the society and the alliance will boost the party’s prospects.