Lucknow
In an unexpected turn of events leading up to the Lok Sabha elections, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Imran Masood has been showering praises on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, much to the dismay of his own party. Masood, a prominent Muslim leader from Saharanpur district in western Uttar Pradesh, notably missed a meeting of BSP leaders and office bearers presided over by party chief Mayawati in Lucknow on August 23. Instead, he expressed his appreciation for working alongside Rahul Gandhi, stating that Gandhi understands the concerns of ordinary party members. He admitted to a past mistake of leaving the Congress before the 2022 Assembly elections, acknowledging his good relationship with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra despite leaving the party. Regarding his absence from the BSP meeting, Masood clarified that he wasn’t invited, although he remains a member of the BSP and is preparing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He confirmed his intention to contest the Saharanpur seat and conveyed this decision to the party leadership. In the 2019 elections, Haji Fazlur Rehman, representing BSP, secured the Saharanpur Lok Sabha seat by defeating BJP candidate Raghav Lakhanpal. Masood’s unexpected alignment with Rahul Gandhi adds an intriguing element to the political landscape, as parties gear up for the upcoming elections.
