UP Election 2022: 7th BJP MLA quits. Will Yogi lose OBC support?

And then, there were seven. With less than a month to the start of elections in Uttar Pradesh, BJP lost another legislator.

Backward caste leader Mukesh Verma became the latest MLA to reportedly quit the ruling party, days after the exodus began with the resignation of UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya. Verma reportedly represents Firozabad in the UP Assembly. He blamed the Yogi Adityanath-led government of ignoring Dalits, backward castes and minorities, as per reports.

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Speculation is rife that the rebel legislators may join the Opposition Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav.

Meanwhile, in what is being seen as a revenge move, the BJP inducted two SP lawmakers and one from Congress.

All the defectors from the BJP are considered influential OBC leaders and may dent the party's chances of securing the community's vote in the upcoming polls.

UP will vote in 7 phases from February 10. Results will be announced on March 10.