Big political news is coming from Uttar Pradesh. Prominent Muslim leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui is set to join the Samajwadi Party (SP) today. He recently resigned from the Congress party and will formally take SP membership in the presence of party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Along with him, former minister Anees Ahmad, also known as Phool Babu, and Rajkumar Pal will also join the party. Siddiqui has claimed that 9–10 former MLAs, former Lok Sabha and Assembly candidates, and several office-bearers from Congress and BSP will also join SP with him. Naseemuddin Siddiqui was once a powerful leader in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and was considered one of the most influential ministers during the Mayawati government (2007–2012). He later left BSP and joined Congress but recently quit, alleging he was not given significant responsibilities. The BJP has taken a dig at his move, stating that his joining SP will not impact Uttar Pradesh politics. Meanwhile, SP views his induction as a boost to its Muslim support base ahead of upcoming elections.


