New Delhi : Former Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders Amar Singh and Jayaprada Monday joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).
The announcement was made in a press conference attended by RLD chief Ajit Singh and the two former SP leaders.
Amar Singh, who was once close to Mulayam Singh Yadav and was the deal maker for the SP, was expelled from the party in 2010.
Actor-turned-politician Jayaprada followed him in quitting the party.
Addressing the press conference, the RLD chief said his party would be fighting on eight seats in western Uttar Pradesh.
Amar Singh went ahead to back RLD’s demand for a separate Harit Pradesh carved out of western Uttar Pradesh.
“Development in Uttar Pradesh is not possible without dividing it,” said Amar Singh.
The former SP leader, who is known for his blunt remarks, tried to make peace with both Congress and BJP saying he “respects” Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and calling BJP president Rajnath Singh a “friend”.