Two-time BSP MLA Mamtesh Shakya joins BJP

AGRA: In a major setback to BSP, party senior leader and two-time MLA from Soro and Amanpur constituencies, Mamtesh Shakya, who served the party for more than 26 years, joined BJP ahead of Amit Shah’s visit rally on December 16.
Shakya, who enjoys massive support among Kushwaha, Lodhi Rajput, Jain and Muslim communities in the constituency, is said to be close to Swami Prasad Maurya, who too recently joined BJP, but earlier was most trusted ally of Mayawati and BSP's pre-eminent most backward caste face.
Representing Amanpur on the BSP ticket, in 2012 Shakya triumphed against all odds and won against strong contenders of SP and BJP.
Amanpur state assembly constituency is at the border of Etah and Kasganj districts, which together form parliamentary constituency of Etah and is represented by BJP’s Rajvir Singh, son of Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh.
Speaking to TOI, MLA Mamtesh Shakya said, “I was fed up with the Mayawati’s financial demand. After demonetisation, she had suffered major financial blow and had set financial ‘targets’ for party workers to meet ahead of polls.”
“I’m here to serve people not to extract money to fulfil the financial needs of BSP supremo. Unlike Mayawati, I have full confidence and support for PM Narendra Modi's bold step to curb black money to bring equality and prosperity in the country,” he said.
BJP Kasganj unit president Purendar Singh Solanki said, “At present we cannot predict the benefits of Mamtesh Shakya joining BJP, but his clean image and understanding of PM Modi's ambition of developing India is really appreciated among people and party workers. It was a bold step of Shakya to disclose the double standards of Maywati, who claims to be well-wisher of backward and ST/SC people.”
Talking to TOI, D P Singh Rana, president of BSP Kasganj unit, said, “MLA Mamtesh Shakya had been close to Swami Prasad Maurya. His joining into BJP was expected, though BSP won’t be affected by this, as people have been voting on Mayawati’s name.”