BSP extends support to SP candidate to counter BJP in Gorakhpur bypoll

Lucknow: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Sunday announced to support its once bitter rival Samajwadi Party for the ensuing BJP not to win Gorakhpur Lok Sabha bypoll.

The announcement to back the SP’s candidate was made at the district level convention of the BSP in Gorakhpur, triggering speculations about the two parties stitching an alliance ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

“BSP supremo Mayawati has decided to support SP candidate Praveen Nishad who belongs to the most backward class,” said party coordinator Ghanshyam Kharwar at the meeting. Nishad was also present at the meeting.