Former UP minister joins BSP

Allahabad, June 16 (UNI) Former Uttar Pradesh minister Rakesh Dhar Tripathi today joined the BSP along with his supporters.

He had resigned from the primary membership of BJP on June 14.

BSP general secretary Indrajeet Saroj inducted Mr Tripathi and his supporters in the party at a function in Rajapur here.

''There is 'goonda raj' prevailing in UP. Only BSP can dislodge the Samajwadi Party government from power,'' Mr Tripathi later told newspersons adding, ''My purpose to join BSP is to strengthen the hands of party president Mayawati.'' The former UP minister also claimed a large number of SP and BJP leaders were in his contact to join BSP.

Mr Tripathi was MLA from Handia assembly constituency for four terms and higher education and PWD minister in UP cabinet.

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