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Former Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya has announced the formation of his new political party, ‘Rashtriya Shoshit Samaaj Party’ (RSSP), at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. This move comes days after Maurya resigned from the Samajwadi Party, citing differences with party leadership.
Swami Prasad Maurya tendered his resignation from the Samajwadi Party on February 20, relinquishing his MLC seat and severing ties with the party. His decision was based on what he perceived as discriminatory treatment and a lack of support from the party leadership, particularly in response to his controversial statements regarding Ramcharitmanas and the Ayodhya temple consecration ceremony.
On February 13, Maurya stepped down from the position of general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, citing the leadership’s failure to implement agreed-upon initiatives, including a proposed ‘Rath Yatra’ for caste-based census, reservation protection, unemployment issues, and safeguarding the Constitution.
Despite initial agreement with Akhilesh Yadav, the ‘Rath Yatra’ did not materialize, and Maurya felt sidelined as his efforts to reconnect with individuals who had shifted allegiance to the BJP were dismissed by lower-ranking party members.
His controversial remarks about Sanatan Dharma, Hindutva, and the Ram Temple drew condemnation, leading the Samajwadi Party to distance itself and ask Maurya to refrain from making potentially offensive statements.
Swami Prasad Maurya officially launched the Rashtriya Shoshit Samaaj Party at Talkatora Stadium, setting the stage for his political journey outside the Samajwadi Party.
A prominent leader of the backward classes in Uttar Pradesh, Maurya joined the Samajwadi Party after leaving the BJP ahead of the 2022 assembly polls. He contested unsuccessfully from Fazilnagar in those elections.
Maurya, a five-time MLA, served as a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, leader of the House, and leader of the opposition. He had joined the BJP from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and served as the labour minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led government from 2017 to 2022.
As Maurya forges ahead with the Rashtriya Shoshit Samaaj Party, the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness shifts and realignments, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The emergence of new political entities adds layers of complexity to the dynamic state politics. The next steps taken by Maurya and his party will be closely watched as they navigate the challenging political terrain.
