Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that while the BJP was busy causing splits in other political parties, quite some of its own MLAs in Uttar Pradesh were all set to switch sides.“BJP jo auron ki party tord rahi hai … auron ke sansad cheen rahi hai … UP mein unhin ke vidhayak taiyyari mein hain pala badalne ke liye (BJP which is causing splits in other parties … snatching away their MPs … its own MLAs in Uttar Pradesh are preparing to switch sides,” Akhilesh said.Also, there were many people who keep their cards close to their chest and show them at the opportune time, the former UP CM said.The SP chief’s reaction came at a press conference in Lucknow while responding to a specific media query about how ‘operation Lotus’ unfolded in West Bengal and Maharashtra and speculations that UP was next in the list where BJP was feeling ‘threatened’ by Samajwadi Party.“BJP operates like this only. They have caused splits in many parties. In Uttar Pradesh too they took away many MLAs, MLCs and Rajya Sabha MPs,” Akhilesh said. No matter what pressure, lure or fear drove them away, the fact is that whoever succumbs to threats will desert his party. To compete with BJP, there has to be a team of bravehearts, he said, adding that SP was prepared to fight the BJP.Referring to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Akhilesh recalled how he announced that he would not induct any BJP turncoats into his party. “SP is a strong party. It has withstood quite a few ups and downs,” Akhilesh said.
