New twist in UP BJP MLA’s ‘resignation’ case: Police say Vinay Shakya safe, daughter reveals ‘truth’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The allegation by the daughter of the BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh Vinay Shakya that her father had been taken to Lucknow for making him join the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) has taken a new twist with the police intervening in the matter.
On Wednesday, Auraiya SP Abhishek Verma gave the details of the MLA and confirmed that he was very much safe.
The Auraiya Police tweeted a video clip on Twitter with the Auraiya SP’s statements. He said: “The police received a viral video through social media… The police inquired into the matter. I personally spoke with the MLA through video call. It was found that he was with his family members in his Shanti Colony residence at Etawah.
“The security guards made available to him were also present with him. At the moment, a deputy SP-level regional officer is present at the MLA’s Etawah residence. He intimated that the MLA is safe. The video which went viral on social media is totally baseless and there is no truth in it,” the SP said.

On the other hand, Vinay Shakya’s daughter Riya Shakya told TOI that she spoke with the Auraiya SP and he had “half-knowledge of the incident”.
She said her father has been unwell ever since he suffered a brain stroke on May 1, 2018. He is not in a position to contest.
Riya alleged that her uncle Devesh Shakya was interested in contesting from Bidhuna under Auraiya district by using her father’s face. However, her uncle was interested in contesting on an SP ticket.
She said she learnt that her uncle and grandmother had left for Lucknow where her father would be made to join SP.
Riya further said, “But my father cannot contest. Why should he quit the BJP? Those who are taking him away are doing so for selfish interests. They should not use my father’s face. They should go on their own.”
Countering her uncle’s claim on her father’s seat, Riya said her younger brother, brother, mother, BJP workers, and supporters wished her to take her father’s legacy ahead.
She said: “My father kept telling me that when I turn 25, he would introduce me into politics.”
Riya wishes to contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly election from the Bidhuna assembly constituency represented by her father.
Having completed User Experience Design from Symbiosis University in Pune, she was working with a private firm in the same city till her mother developed heart issues. She returned home to shoulder family responsibilities.
Riya has now staked claim to be her father’s successor in the constituency.
In a video message on January 11, Riya had alleged that her father had been taken away by her uncle and grandmother. She appealed to the UP government to find out her father’s whereabouts.
She thanked UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath for getting a high-level panel of doctors constituted for her father’s treatment. During his stay in the hospital, the CM personally visited her father four to five times, she said.
Riya said her father could not speak coherently. “His ability to think and understand has also diminished after a surgery. We are working for the BJP in the constituency and are continuously contacting the people as the election has drawn near,” she said.
According to reports, four MLAs – Roshan Lal Verma, Brijesh Prajapati, Bhagwati Sagar and Vinay Shakya – close to former labour minister Swami Prasad Maurya announced their resignations on January 11. All of them are likely to join SP.