In the midst of the Lok Sabha election frenzy, a major story emerged from Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. BSP's parliamentarian, Malook Nagar, left the 'Elephant' to join hands with Jayant Chaudhary's party, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). In reality, Nagar did not receive a ticket from BSP, which led him to this decision.
Following his inclusion in RLD, both parties held a joint press conference today. In the 2019 elections, under the banner of a SP, BSP, and RLD alliance, Malook Nagar had clinched the seat from Western Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor. Previously, he had contested in 2009 and 2014 from Meerut and Bijnor, but was defeated both times.
For 39 years, Malook Nagar will not contest elections for the first time
In the wake of joining RLD, he stated, "For the first time in my 39-year political career, I will neither contest an election nor become a Member of Parliament," clarifying his role for the upcoming 2024 general elections. He decided to leave BSP after their relationship soured. Nagar, who has been associated with RLD since his youth, served as the president of its youth wing.
This election sees RLD in an alliance with BJP's NDA. Notably, RLD has fielded Jat candidate Chandan Chauhan from the Bijnor seat. It's important to mention that RLD was given this seat as part of the seat-sharing arrangement with BJP. Nagar added that he would support RLD's candidates as well as BJP's, whom Jayant is actively campaigning for.
Why has Malook Nagar returned to RLD?
Sources indicate Nagar's discontentment with BSP over ticket allocation from Bijnor led to his joining RLD after talks with other parties. Upon severing ties with BSP, he was also in contact with BJP.
Prior to the announcement of candidates, Nagar met with Jayant Chaudhary and wished to contest from Bijnor on an RLD ticket. As negotiations faltered, efforts were made to reach a consensus among the leaders, and it was indicated that Nagar might receive a Rajya Sabha seat from RLD in the future, given the seat had been allocated to RLD in BJP's coalition discussions.
It was also revealed that Nagar, one of the wealthiest politicians and businessmen in Uttar Pradesh, desired to join BJP, but was deferred for political reasons to avoid further aggravating BSP. As per his affidavit, during the 2009 elections, his declared assets were over 85 crores, which increased to 249 crores by 2019, including real estate worth 115 crores. Nagar faced 7 criminal cases and also underwent an income tax raid in 2020.
Caste Division in Bijnor:
17 lakh votes -
6 lakh Muslims
2.7 lakh - Dalits
2.1 lakh Jats
1.4 lakh - Gurjars
60,000 - Sainis
Caste-based Electoral Percentages
Muslims: 41% Jatavs: 15% Jats: 7% Gurjars: 6% Sainis: 6% Rajputs: 5%
Mayawati was the MP from Bijnor in 1989
As a Gurjar leader, he could wield some influence over the OBC Gurjar voters, who carry a strong vote bank of 1.4 lakh. Additionally, the RLD-BJP alliance will need to solidify in UP. The caste equations of the Bijnor seat are also interesting. There are over 6 lakh Muslim voters, constituting more than 41% of the electorate. Only one Muslim leader from Congress, Abdul Latif, was elected MP from Bijnor in 1957 since independence. Even Mayawati was the MP from Bijnor in 1989.
Malook Nagar was defeated from Bijnor in 2014
Nagar was defeated in 2014, failing to secure the support of Muslim voters who traditionally vote for the SP in UP. With the backing of RLD-SP-BSP in 2019, Nagar secured the seat, but this time around, the battle is not straightforward as SP and BSP are not allied, and RLD has chosen to ally with BJP. BSP has fielded Jat Bijendra Singh, and SP replaced Yashveer Singh with Deepak Saini at the last moment.
