Dara Singh Chauhan: 2nd BJP minister quits Yogi cabinet in 24 hours

Lucknow: In another jolt to the BJP ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Forest and Environment Minister Dara Singh Chauhan on Wednesday became the second Cabinet member to quit the Yogi Adityanath government.

In his resignation letter sent to Governor Anandibhen Patel, Chauhan said he was leaving the Cabinet over the manner in which the issue of reservation for Dalits was handled.

"As a Minister I have worked diligently for the betterment of the department, but am piqued with the gross neglectful attitude of the government towards backwards, the deprived, Dalits and unemployed youths and the manner in which the issue of reservation for Dalits is being handled."

Talking to the media, Chauhan said he took the step as he was hurt that justice was not done to the backwards, the deprived sections, Dalits, farmers and youths.

"In the last five years I raised these issues with the state as well as the central leadership but my voice went unheard. The expectations of the poor, the backward, deprived and farmers, by whose blessings the government was formed, remained unfulfilled," he added.

Asked if he resigned in support of Labour Minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who quit on Tuesday, Chauhan said Maurya was a senior leader but he had resigned on his own.

Asked if will join the Samajwadi Party, he said: "I will take a call after consulting my supporters, workers and all those due to whom I am in politics. Things will unfold gradually with time."

After Swami Prasad Maurya's resignation, BJP MLAs Roshan Lal Verma, Brajesh Prajapati and Bhagwati Prasad Sagar also resigned from the primary membership of the Bhratiya Janata Party.

Though SP President Akhilesh Yadav hinted that Maurya has joined the party, the former Minister had said that he will open his cards within a couple of days. (UNI)