BJP betrayed boatmen community: SP MP Vishambhar Nishad

PRAYAGRAJ, Feb 24 (HS): For the battle for the 2022 UP Assembly polls, the focus once again seems to be shifting to the Nishad community with both SP and Congress trying to woo the boatmen. National General Secretary of Samajwadi Party and Rajya Sabha MP, Vishambhar Prasad Nishad arrived at Prayagraj on Wednesday to attend a felicitation ceremony after becoming party’s chief whip in Rajya Sabha. During an interaction with mediapersons, he accused BJP of betraying Nishad community. “They (BJP) romped home victorious, riding on your piggy back but left you in the lurch, when their help was needed the most in challenging times (post-lockdown),” he said.

He raised the issue of rising incidence of violence against women, OBCs and Dalits. “The entire nation feels cheated with the policy of corporate patronage being adopted by the BJP. The party that came to power on the slogan of sabka saath, sabka vikas has failed to uphold and protect the rights of marginalized communities. BJP rode to power by banking on the legacy of ‘Nishadraj’ but the recent events of police atrocities on community members at Prayagraj, Varanasi and Gorakhpur speak volumes about their real intentions. Take votes from Nishads and serve the corporates and mafia – when in power, this is their real face. I have seen videos of police brutality on helpless women and children, which went viral on social media,” he said.  Rajya Sabha MP appealed people not to let the embers of simmering anger die down and give a befitting reply to BJP in upcoming state assembly polls.