Lucknow: In a setback to Congress, its senior leader and former Union minister Beni Prasad Verma joined the Samajwadi Party led by Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday.
Verma has been a long-time friend of Mulayam but had criticised the SP patriarch several times in past after switching sides to Congress.
As per sources, the ageing leader has taken the decision to secure the future of his son in the Samajawadi Party, which is in power in Uttar Pradesh.
Welcoming Beni in the party, Mulayam said his presence will strengthen the Samajwadi Party in the 2017 elections. Yadav also hailed Beni for giving party its name.
The Kurmi leader quit the party in 2007 and joined the Congress before 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
Verma joined Congress after Amar Singh started getting too much of importance from none other than his friend Mulayam Singh in the party. After this, he stoked controversies on several occasions by attacking the SP leadership and eventually quit the party.
Here are some of his controversial statements lambasting Mulayam:-
Mulayam Singh wants to become Prime Minister. He should first try to get the job of a sweeper at the residence of the PM.
Samajwadi Party is a party based on lies and fraud and that it will be finished by the Congress.
Mulayam failed to take good care of Uttar Pradesh and now he is dreaming of looking after the country.
Mulayam Singh has links with terrorists.
Mulayam joined hands with those who demolished Babri Masjid, like Kalyan Singh. Samajwadi Party also helped BJP to win in Gujarat.
