Sitting BJP MLA joins SP

Lucknow, July 27 (UNI) A BJP MLA today joined the ruling Samajwadi Party in UP.

A few days ago, Congress' sitting MLA from Moradabad (Dehat) Shamim-u-Haq had joined the SP.

Announcing the joining of Shivendra Singh, MLA from Siswan Bazaar in Maharajganj, senior SP leader and state PWD minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said the former's entry would strengthen the ruling coalition ahead of the assembly elections.

''This is just the beginning...the trend woud continue,'' he added.

Interacting with reporters, Shivendra Singh said he has so far not resigned from the BJP. ''But if need be, I would tender my resignation.'' He said he had not joined the BJP for its ideologies.

''I was there due the presence of an individual.'' He denied speculations that the SP has assured him a ticket for the 2007 assembly polls. ''That was never the consideration...I was attracted towards the policies of Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav,'' he claimed.

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