Former BSP leader Rajaram Pal joins Cong

Former BSP MP Rajaram Pal, who was expelled from the parliament in the wake of cash-for-question scam, will be the Congress candidate from Akabarpur constituency.

Former BSP MP Rajaram Pal, who was expelled from the parliament in the wake of cash-for-question scam, will be the Congress candidate from Akabarpur constituency.

HT Image

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committe chairperson Rita Bahuguna Joshi said that “Pal will be the party candidate”.

The responsibility of choosing the candidate for Akbarpur constituency was given to the UPCC. The state Congress after discussing the issue with the MLA’s, MP’s and local Congress leaders chose Rajaram Pal for the seat, she said.

Before the delimitation Akbarpur was known as Bilhaur. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections Rajaram from Bilhauur had won the election from BSP’S ticket. But in December 2005, Pal was amongst eleven MP’s who were sacked off their posts in the “cash for question” case.

After his alleged involvement in the case the BSP also sidelined him from the party. Lal then formed his own Indian Sarvodya Kranti Party but was defeated by a large margin in the by-elections.

On whether Pal’s entry into the Congress will bring a bad name to the party, UPCC President Joshi said, “The party has offered ticket to him on benefit of doubt.”

While, Akbarpur Congress committee members are protesting of Pal getting the ticket. Ganga Singh Bhadauriya along with his supporters of Kanpur’s rural heartlands has resigned from the party.