Samajwadi Party Faces Setback as Chief Whip Resigns Ahead of Crucial Rajya Sabha Polls in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, 27 February : In a significant blow to the Samajwadi Party (SP) on the eve of the voting for 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, the party’s chief whip in the Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandey, resigned, raising concerns about potential cross-voting. The resignation followed the absence of eight MLAs at a dinner hosted by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, adding to the challenges faced by the party in the crucial election.

The development not only jeopardizes the SP’s chances in the Rajya Sabha polls but also raises worries for the party as it gears up for the general election, where it plans to contest 63 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh as part of the INDIA alliance. A mutiny within the party months before the polls could prove to be a significant setback.

The voting is currently underway for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, with eight candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and three from the Samajwadi Party in contention. While the BJP and the SP have the necessary numbers to secure seven and three seats, respectively, the BJP’s decision to field an eighth candidate has introduced an element of uncertainty, leading to a keenly contested election for one of the seats.

Akhilesh Yadav, addressing the allegations of BJP’s interference, had earlier stated, “This is how they work. They instill fear, threaten people, use agencies or take up any old case and pressure them.” However, his confidence seemed to waver this morning, acknowledging the possibility of some leaders seeking personal gains by aligning with the BJP.

Around 56 Rajya Sabha seats became vacant this year, on which 41 candidates got elected unopposed. In Uttar Pradesh, where 10 seats are up for grabs, the BJP and the SP are in a fierce competition with 8 and 3 candidates, respectively.

The BJP’s candidates include former Union Minister RPN Singh, former MP Chaudhary Tejveer Singh, Amarpal Maurya (General Secretary of the party’s Uttar Pradesh unit), Sangeeta Balwant (Bind), Sudhanshu Trivedi (party spokesperson), Sadhna Singh (former MLA), and Naveen Jain (former Agra mayor). The SP has nominated  Jaya Bachchan, Alok Ranjan, retired IAS officer, and Ramji Lal SumanDalit leader.

The stakes are high in these elections, as candidates need nearly 37 first-preference votes to secure a Rajya Sabha seat from Uttar Pradesh. The voting is set to conclude at 4 pm, with the announcement of results expected by the end of the day.

While the SP initially denied allegations of contact between its legislators and the BJP, the absence of eight MLAs at a crucial dinner event has fueled concerns of cross-voting. Zahid Baig, an SP legislator, remarked, “Many people did not come as they might be  busy. But if they have taken money for cross-vote. They will not be forgiven by people.”

The developments in Uttar Pradesh add to the political drama in other states, including Karnataka, where five candidates vie for four Rajya Sabha seats. The Congress, confident of winning three seats, faces an intriguing contest against the BJP-JDS combine, which aims to secure at least one seat.

In Himachal Pradesh, where only one seat is at stake, the Congress holds a comfortable strength in the Assembly. However, the BJP’s decision to field a candidate has forced a contest, setting the stage for a keenly watched election.

As the voting day unfolds, all eyes remain on Uttar Pradesh, where the SP grapples with internal challenges and the BJP seeks to secure a decisive victory in the Rajya Sabha polls.