In another setback to the BJP govt in Uttar Pradesh, state minister and OBC leader Dharam Singh Saini has quit the party and joined the Samajwadi Party.
With less than a month to go for the assembly elections, Saini is the eighth BJP leader and 3rd state minister to quit in the last 3 days.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted a photograph with Saini to welcome him and said that his arrival gives the party more strength and enthusiasm.
Earlier on Thursday, BJP MLA Mukesh Verma resigned from the primary membership of the party alleging 'lack of respect' by the government towards backward classes and Dalits.
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The exodus of OBC leaders from the BJP was triggered by the resignation of Swami Prasad Maurya, who was also minister in Yogi Adityanath's cabinet, on Tuesday.