‘Most powerful in UP after the CM’: Om Prakash Rajbhar makes BJP uneasy with latest remarks

Just a few days into his tenure as UP Cabinet Minister, Om Prakash Rajbhar is back to making comments that have left several leaders in the ruling BJP uncomfortable. While the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief has yet to be allotted a ministry — he was the Cabinet minister for Backward Class Welfare the last time around — this time he is hoping to win Lok Sabha seats in alliance with the BJP.

Three days ago, at a public meeting in Mau, Rajbhar told his party workers that from now on they should wear yellow stoles while approaching a police station. He said police officials would see Rajbhar’s face in the yellow stole and “listen to them meekly” as they wouldn’t dare question their minister. He went on to declare himself as the most powerful person in the state after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. “Jo power Mukhyamantri ji ke paas hai, uske niche agar power kisi ke pass hai to Om Prakash Rajbhar ke paas hai.”

Citing the presence of Adityanath at the oath-taking ceremony, he told his workers, “Who is the most powerful in this country at this moment? PM, Home Minister. Om Prakash Rajbhar is directly connected to them. Who is the most powerful in UP at this moment: CM Yogi Adityanath. Saw yesterday he was overseeing Om Prakash Rajbhar’s oath-taking.”

Comparing himself to Hindi film villain Gabbar Singh, Rajbhar said, “Neither the police inspector nor the SP or even the DM has the power to call up the minister (referring to himself) … Gabbar samajh lo (Assume that I am Gabbar).”

While the NDA has yet to officially announce its candidate from the Ghosi Lok Sabha seat, Rajbhar went on to claim that the BJP leadership in Delhi had decided to give the seat and one more to his SBSP. Sources said Rajbhar plans to field his