Maurya is a dominant Kushwaha leader from east UP and had joined BJP before the 2017 assembly elections. He is a five-time MLA and was minister since 2002 and leader of the opposition in 2012. Leaders like Maurya had helped the BJP get the OBC votes across different regions.
Two months ago, home minister Amit Shah had called several leaders, including Maurya, whom the party thought were unhappy and likely to switch loyalties. At that time, the leadership got an impression that things were better. Maurya was given a lot of importance and was part of the core election team of UP and participated in all important meetings regarding state elections.
On Tuesday, the entire BJP UP leadership was in Delhi to discuss the candidates for the first two phases of the election. Maurya’s resignation was also discussed during the meeting. BJP leaders are avoiding making any comment on Maurya’s resignation. Sources told ET that the BJP central leadership instructed state leaders to talk to party leaders and MLAs and persuade them to stay within the party fold.
Dinesh Sharma, UP deputy CM, called Maurya and spoke to him over phone. Keshav Maurya, deputy CM, state president Swatantra Dev Singh and state general secretary Sunil Bansal have been tasked to talk to all those leaders who are likely to leave the party in the coming days.
Keshav Maurya even tweeted that Swami Prasad Maurya should rethink his decision. Several party leaders started attacking Swami Prasad Maurya on Twitter. Some leaders were asked by the leadership not to escalate things as the party was open to discussion. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia had to delete his tweet criticising Swami Prasad Maurya.
Sources told ET that Maurya will contest from his Padrauna seat in Kushinagar while he will get the nearby Fazilnagar seat for his son in Samajwadi Party.
