Dalit leader Udit Raj joins BJP

Prominent Dalit leader Udit Raj joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday which said it believed in inclusive growth and the welfare of the last man in the queue and accused Congress of causing disparity in the society during its rule.

Welcoming Raj in the party-fold, BJP president Rajnath Singh said India cannot be a powerful country if a community continued to remain backward and marginalised.

The SCs, he alleged, have not received any benefits during the 10 years rule of Congress and claimed his party has been trying a lot to promote them. BJP recently sent three Dalit leaders to Rajya Sabha, he said to make his point.

Raj may contest next Lok Sabha election, sources said.

A former IRS officer who has in past organised Hindu groups with his activism including holding of mass-conversions, Raj charged the interest of Dalits has been adversely affected during Congress rule and claimed BJP is more sympathetic to their cause.

He also hit out at Bahuajn Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, who enjoys considerable supports among Dalits, alleging her party benefited from the vote of SCs but did little to ensure their welfare.

Arvind Kejriwal of Aam Aadmi Party was also attacked by Raj. Kejriwal, he said, was his junior in Indian Revenue Service and did "nothing noteworthy" in Income Tax department and "is now indulging in politics of propaganda and lies".

Image: Udit Raj