Within 48 hours of inviting controversy by stitching an alliance with Babu Singh Kushwaha’s Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), the Congress was up against yet another embarrassment when Apna Dal-led by Krishna Patel distanced itself from the party and extended support to Shivpal Yadav’s Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia).
Earlier on Saturday, Apna Dal (Krishna Patel group) had sealed an alliance with the Congress for Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh.
As part of the seat-sharing agreement, Apna Dal was allocated two Lok Sabha seats —- Basti and Pilibhit —- in the presence of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.
Congress leaders in Lucknow shied away from commenting on the development. The Congress also did not clear the air whether another ally Mahan Dal was still going with them or had parted ways after the former gave 7 seats to lesser known Jan Adhikar Party. While a letter of Krishna Patel supporting Shivpal Yadav’s Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) appeared on social media, Shivpal Yadav announced that besides Peace Party, Apna Dal-led by Krishna Patel, would be supporting his party in UP. Krishna Patel is the widow of Apna Dal founder Sone Lal Patel, who had died in a car crash in 2009. The party later split between his widow and elder daughter Anupriya Patel. The BJP has already finalised a seat-sharing deal with Anupriya-led Apna Dal (Sone Lal). Anupriya Patel faction of Apna Dal will be contesting on two seats.