Uttar Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Sunday came out in support of expelled Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Pooja Pal, who recently alleged that her life is in danger from people within the party.
Rajbhar said Pal, who belongs to the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), has raised genuine concerns, and her statement reflects the anger among EBC communities against the Samajwadi Party.
“Pooja Pal comes from the EBCs, so there is a lot of anger among them against the Samajwadi Party. She suspects her life is in danger from SP people, and her statement is well thought out,” Rajbhar told ANI.
He also endorsed Pal’s remarks in the Assembly, where she credited Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government for bringing justice in her husband’s murder case. “What Pooja Pal said was 100 per cent true — if anyone ensured justice for her husband’s murder, it was the Yogi government. Everyone in the state and the country knows this,” Rajbhar said.
Earlier this month, Pal was expelled from the SP and later wrote to party chief Akhilesh Yadav, alleging that her removal was aimed at silencing the voices of backward classes, Dalits, and weaker sections. She further claimed that if anything were to happen to her, the Samajwadi Party and Yadav should be held responsible.
Pal also revealed that she has been receiving life threats and severe trolling on social media. In her letter, she stated that though she has achieved justice for her husband’s murder, she now fears for her own safety.
Reacting to her allegations, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said the claims raise serious concerns that require an impartial probe. He questioned why Pal, who had been with the party for years without incident, is making such accusations now.
“If anyone suspects danger from someone, it should be investigated to identify those individuals. But we cannot trust the UP government with this, which is why we have approached the Union Home Ministry. We are hopeful they will ensure justice,” Yadav said.
