Controversial UP BJP MLA’s daughter set to join Samajwadi Party

BAREILLY: The daughter of a controversial BJP legislator, who had married a Dalit youth against her father’s wishes last year and later alleged threat to life from him, now wants to join the Samajwadi Party and work for the women empowerment. She has sought an appointment with party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Sakshi Mishra, the daughter of Rajesh Mishra alias Pappu Bhartaul -- a local muscleman and MLA from Bithri Chainpur constituency-- had a face- off with her father last year when she went against his wishes and married the Dalit youth, Ajitesh. Soon after the marriage, Sakshi went into hiding and posted a video on Facebook alleging threat to her life from “goons” of her father. The MLA has rubbished the allegation.
Over a year after her marriage and brush with the controversy, 23-year-old Sakshi has decided to take a plunge into politics.
On Tuesday, she expressed her wish to join Samajwadi Party (SP) saying that a lot of development work was done under the Akhilesh Yadav’s regime.
“A lot of development work was done during the then chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure in UP. And the way the party works has influenced me to join politics. I always wanted to be a social worker and promote women empowerment. I want to work for the development of women in particular and to address their grievances,” she said.
When asked what prompted her to join Samajwadi Party, Sakshi said, “Every party has its own way of working. And I am more influenced by the way SP works and I am inspired by Aksilesh Yadav, who is a youth leader. He had given a separate identity to UP during his tenure as a CM.”
She added, “I have written a letter in this connection to the SP president and sought an appointment.”