New Delhi: Preparations for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are in full swing, with all political parties pulling out all the stops. The BJP, which has held the reins of power for two consecutive terms, is determined not to leave any stone unturned this time either. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party (SP), the principal opposition party in the House, is also striving hard to capture power.
Just ahead of the Assembly elections, three rebel SP MLAs have formally joined the BJP. At an event held in Amethi, BJP State President Pankaj Chaudhary and party General Secretary Smriti Irani inducted rebel SP MLAs Rakesh Pratap Singh, Abhay Singh, and Vinod Chaturvedi into the BJP fold. These three MLAs had rebelled against the SP two years ago during the Rajya Sabha elections. Since then, there has been speculation in political circles about them joining the BJP.
Smriti Irani Inducts the Three MLAs
Former Amethi MP Smriti Irani inducted Abhay Singh (MLA from the Gauriganj Assembly seat), Abhay Singh (MLA from the Gosaiganj seat in Ayodhya), and Vinod Chaturvedi (MLA from the Kalpi seat in Jalaun district) into the BJP. Discussions regarding their official entry into the party had been ongoing for the past two years.
The SP had suspended all three MLAs from the party in 2025, clearing the path for the rebels to join the BJP. UP BJP President Pankaj Chaudhary and National General Secretary Smriti Irani facilitated their induction.
BJP May Offer Tickets for Assembly Elections
Following their official entry into the BJP, there is now an expectation that they might receive election tickets. It is believed that the BJP could field all three MLAs in the 2027 Assembly elections. Meanwhile, the MLAs claim that a large number of local SP leaders and workers have also joined the BJP along with them. He remained critical of Akhilesh Yadav.
During this time, Vinod Chaturvedi, the MLA from the Kalpi constituency in Jalaun, un levelled a serious allegation against Akhilesh Yadav. He stated that when PM Modi inaugurated the temple of Lord Ram, the Speaker of the House had suggested that anyone wishing to visit for darshan could go; however, their party high command forbade it.
This was an affront to faith. Furthermore, the kind of development CM Yogi Adityanath has delivered is unprecedented. The public desires development, and we are elected precisely to ensure that development. We stand with the government that has achieved such progress.
