SP Maurya Exits Team Yogi For Akhilesh Yadav: This Is Why

Swami Prasad Maurya reportedly got a hint from the BJP that his supporters may not be the party's candidates for the upcoming UP polls.

Swami Prasad Maurya, who seems to be leading an exodus from the BJP just weeks before the Uttar Pradesh election, had been exploring change with rival Akhilesh Yadav for some time, sources say.

Swami Prasad Maurya reportedly got a hint from the BJP that his supporters may not be the party's candidates for the February-March polls.

Mr Maurya, a powerful OBC (Other Backward Class) leader, has taken along a loyal group of leaders in his political travels from Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to the BJP in 2016 and to the Samajwadi Party now.

That group - including the four MLAs who quit with him today - were unlikely to be fielded by the BJP this time, sources say.