BJP, Nishad party, Apna Dal to contest UP polls together

The contours of the BJP-led NDA alliance appear to be in place for the UP elections next year. The saffron party today announced alliance with Sanjay Nishad-led Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (Nishad party), which represents communities like fishermen and boatmen whose traditional occupations are centered around rivers. UP election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan said the BJP would contest the elections in alliance with the Nishad Party and Apna Dal, whose leader Anupriya Patel is also a Minister of State in the Narendra Modi council in the Centre. Both Pradhan and state party chief Swatantra Dev Singh specified that the alliance will contest under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Narendra Modi.