Notwithstanding the controversy over his joining the party, the Bharatiya Janata Party feels that tainted former Bahujan Samaj Party leader Babu Singh Kushwaha's support to it could bolster its prospects in the elections in Uttar Pradesh.

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"Leave aside controversy over his joining....He is not a member of the party now as his membership has been kept in abeyance....His support is helping the party and backward sections are rallying around the party due to Kushwaha, who has a say in his community", BJP National Vice President Kalraj Mishra told PTI.

"Not only in Bundelkhand region but also in other parts of the state the BJP is getting support of the backwards due to Kushwaha...They come to us extending their support during election meetings", he claimed.

Kushwaha had joined BJP on January 3 in New Delhi resulting in resentment in the party cadre after which his membership was kept in abeyance. He is now supporting BJP and holding meetings in its favour under the banner of Rastriya Adhikar Manch.

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About the opposition's allegations that Kushwaha had given money for entering BJP, Mishra said that these are just political gimmicks.

Kushwaha contacted the party when the United Progressive Alliance government gave 4.5 per cent reservation to minorities from 27 per OBC quota and sought party's support to protest the decision, he said.

When asked about the reason for fielding senior leaders like him in the polls, Mishra, who is contesting polls for the first time from Lucknow East seat, said it was to instil a sense of confidence among the public.

"Senior leaders like Uma Bharti, BJP state president Surya Pratap Shahi, former state president Ramapati Ram Tripathi, Kesari Nath Tripathi and others are in the fray...This is a party strategy to generate confidence among the masses and to show that BJP is taking elections seriously and could form a government on its own", Mishra said.

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On the chief ministerial candidate of the party, Mishra said that as of now the party is concentrating in getting the maximum number of seats.

"It will be decided, if need be, by the party parliamentary board. The party knows its present position and future course of action", Mishra said.

About promoting youth in the party like Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav by Congress and SP respectively, Mishra said the party had given tickets to a number of youth including youth wing state president Harish Dwivedi.

"We don't believe in dynastic politics. Our party also has sons of senior leaders but they are like other common workers", Mishra said.

About the controversy after the elevation of Rajnath Singh's son as party state general secretary, Mishra said that he was working hard for the party and he respects the party decision.

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On the Ram Mandir issue which figured in the party's manifesto, Mishra said the party had not left the issue.

"It (Ram Mandir) is a national issue, not a political issue for the party. Whether we remain in or out of the power, we will try to evolve consensus for construction of the temple in Ayodhya", Mishra said.

About Rahul's campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Mishra said that he was speaking what some others were feeding him.

"I want to ask him that he blames BJP and other parties of misrule, why did he not talk about Congress, which ruled the state for the maximum time. His father Rajiv Gandhi used to say only 15 paisa of 100 reaches the common man. Why? Where the 85 paisa used to go as at that time Congress was in power", Mishra alleged.

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