LUCKNOW: Former Uttar Pradesh minister Dharmendra Kumar Kashyap on Wednesday said he would make a formal announcement about joining a new party after discussions with his supporters.His remarks came after he posted a picture of a sunset by the sea with the words “Tata Bye-Bye” on Facebook, following the BJP‘s announcement of its Rajya Sabha candidates for Uttar Pradesh.The post sparked speculation about his possible return to the Samajwadi Party, news agency PTI reported.The OBC leader was hopeful of securing a Rajya Sabha ticket but was not included in the list, according to sources.The BJP has fielded state Cabinet minister Dharampal Singh and Shruti Gangwar, daughter of former Union minister and former Jharkhand governor Santosh Gangwar, from Bareilly district.Kashyap has not formally announced his resignation from the BJP.Kashyap expressed displeasure over what he described as the party’s inaction against those who worked against him during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, PTI reported.“Those who openly opposed me and worked to defeat me in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, if they are made to sit in the front row of the party, it will certainly hurt. When the party takes no action against such people and does not even express concern, it becomes natural for a self-respecting person like me to say ‘Tata Bye-Bye’,” he said.Kashyap stopped short of announcing his next political move but hinted at a possible return to the Samajwadi Party.Asked whether he would join the SP, the BJP leader, who had been a two-time MP from Aonla, said, “Where my next political destination will be, everyone will know very soon.”He said meetings of his supporters were being convened not only in Aonla but across Bareilly district and the Bareilly division.“The formal announcement about joining a new party will be made only after taking the opinion of workers and supporters,” he said.Kashyap is considered one of the prominent political faces of the Kashyap community in Rohilkhand, northwestern Uttar Pradesh. He switched from the SP to the BJP in May 2013.His political career began with grassroots politics, and he went on to represent Aonla in the Lok Sabha twice, in 2014 and 2019. He narrowly lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Aonla.Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are due next year.(With agency inputs)
