Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Minister and National President of the NISHAD Party Dr Sanjay Kumar Nishad has reiterated that his party stands as an ally of the BJP.
“If the BJP trusts that we are guiding our society in the right direction and that it is also benefiting politically from this partnership, then the alliance should continue. But if there is no trust, then say it clearly and end the alliance,” he asserted.
Addressing a press conference at the Annexe Bhawan Auditorium in his home district Gorakhpur on Tuesday, Dr Nishad said that no one should claim that the BJP alone was responsible for victory in Uttar Pradesh.
“This victory is the result of contributions from all alliance partners — Apna Dal representing the Patel community, SBSP, representing the Rajbhar community, RLD representing the Jat community, and the NISHAD Party, representing the fishermen community.”
He further said that although the foundation of the NISHAD Party was laid in Gorakhpur, some leaders from Gorakhpur and across the state have been attempting to malign both the party and his image.
On the issue of reservation, Dr Nishad clarified: “The responsibility of taking a decision lies with the Bharatiya Janata Party, as their government is in power both at the Centre and in the state, with the NISHAD Party as an ally. Positive steps are being taken at both levels, but a few so-called Nishad leaders are misleading society and creating bitterness.”
Reaffirming the party’s ideological foundation, he said, “Our relationship with Maryada Purushottam Lord Shri Ram has existed since the Treta Yuga, and we remain committed to upholding that ideal.”
When asked about certain leaders lobbying for tickets, he remarked, “Are these not the same people who once came through the BSP (‘Haathi’) and later joined the BJP? Newspapers report that they are claiming BJP will give tickets to the Nishad community. We welcome this. We want the entire Assembly to be Nishad-oriented and for all 403 MLAs to win. But those lobbying for tickets — do they have any guarantee from BJP for 2027? They were empty-handed even in 2024.”
On alleged attempts to undermine him, Dr Nishad said: “In Gorakhpur, efforts are always made to weaken us. The issue regarding Ashish Patel is already out in the open. The real question is why BJP’s central leadership does not speak directly and instead gets such statements issued through smaller leaders.”
Responding to a question on the loss in Sant Kabir Nagar, he said, “The question repeatedly arises as to how Praveen lost. BJP has the full report of what its leadership in this constituency did and what it did not do. That report should be made public.”
Dr Nishad remarked, “If there is genuine commitment to the cause of the Nishad community, then those imported leaders and BJP’s Nishad leaders should march to the Vidhan Sabha on the issue of reservation. I am ready to walk with them and even behind them.”
ENDS