Minister of State Dharam Singh Saini on Thursday became the third Minister to resign from the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, dealing a blow to the BJP ahead of Assembly elections. He sent his resignation to Governor Anandiben Patel.

Ministers Swami Prasad Maurya and Dara Singh Chauhan quit the government on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

In his resignation letter, Saini stated that he was quitting because the BJP government in the state had let down the Dalits, backwards, farmers, educated unemployed as well as small and medium businesses with whose backing the party stormed to power five years ago.

“They and their representatives have been neglected continuously. Therefore, I am resigning from the council of ministers,” he said.

Though Saini was not available for comments, a social media post by Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav suggested that he has joined his party.

Immediately after Saini’s resignation, Akhilesh Yadav tweeted: “With the arrival of Dr Dharam Singh Sainiji, another warrior of ‘social jJustice’, our ‘positive and progressive politics’ has got more encouragement and strength. Hearty welcome and greetings to him in SP. Victory of inclusive-harmony is sure in (20)22.”

The move came two days after Saini refuted Swami Prasad Maurya’s claim that he was quitting the BJP to join the SP.

Saini, considered a prominent leader of the backward community, is a three time MLA. Last time he won from Nakur in Saharanpur district on BJP ticket.

Earlier in the day, two more BJP MLAs — Mukesh Verma from Shikohabad in Firozabad district and Vinay Shakya from Bidhuna in Auariya district — quit from the primary membership of the party expressing allegiance to outgoing Minister Swami Prasad Maurya.