Uttarakhand BJP leader and former Pauri MLA Yashpal Benam. (File image)

I felt ignored: Uttarakhand BJP leader Yashpal Benam quits party

Former Pauri MLA Yashpal Benam resigned from the BJP after eight years. His departure comes ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Benam joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on October 18, 2018
  • He cited personal reasons and discomfort behind his decision to leave
  • Several party leaders failed to understand him properly, Benam said

Uttarakhand BJP leader and former Pauri MLA Yashpal Benam resigned from the party's primary membership on October 18, delivering a setback to the BJP in Pauri district ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. After spending eight years in the party, Benam said he felt suffocated and that several party leaders had failed to understand him properly. He added that he would decide on his next political move soon.

Benam said he had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on October 18, 2018, exactly eight years ago. He pointed to the coincidence of leaving the party on the same date after completing eight years as a member.

‘I FELT SUFFOCATED IN THE PARTY’

Explaining his decision, Benam cited personal reasons and a sense of discomfort within the party. He said several leaders had not made an effort to understand him properly, leaving him feeling suffocated in the BJP.

He added that he was not accustomed to living under such circumstances, which ultimately prompted him to part ways with the party.

BENAM SAYS BJP DID NOT UTILISE HIS POLITICAL ABILITIES

Reflecting on his political journey, Benam said he had always followed his principles and maintained an independent ideology. He had contested elections as an independent candidate and won with public support, he said.

According to Benam, he built his political identity on his own abilities. However, despite spending eight years in the BJP, he felt the party had not made proper use of his political capabilities.

Benam, a former Pauri MLA and former municipal chairman, has been active in Pauri's politics for a long time. While he has resigned from the BJP, he said he would take a decision on his future political course soon.

- Ends