Mulayam's man quits, forms new party

New Delhi: Mulayam's long-time political lieutenant and confidante Beni Prasad Verma quit the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday to launch a new party, Samajwadi Kranti Dal.

Verma was upset over being ignored in the ticket-distribution process. He has not even been consulted about candidates from his home district Barabanki, and neighbouring Bahraich from where he is MP.

"The Samajwadi Kranti Dal led by Beni Prasad Verma has been formed and application for its registration with the Election Commission was submitted on March 15 and its receipt has also been received," Verma's representative Shahab Khalid was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

"While Verma would be the president of the newly-floated party, I have been given the responsibility of national general secretary," Shahab was further quoted as saying as he announced the list of nominees for the eight Vidhan Sabha seats in the district.

The list of nominees has been sent to Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav for endorsement and in case they do not not find place in the SP list, they would be contesting the polls as nominees of Samajwadi Kranti Dal, Shahab said.

(With inputs from PTI)

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)