New Delhi: Elections for 10 Rajya Sabha seats are due in Uttar Pradesh, and both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) have geared up for the contest. The BJP has purchased nomination papers for eight seats, while the SP has bought three. The SP has already announced candidates for two seats and filed their nominations, implying that a third candidate will be declared soon.
Although the SP lacks the numerical strength to secure a victory for a third candidate on its own, it is eyeing the BJP and its allies. The SP could deal a major blow to the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP); several SBSP MLAs are reportedly in contact with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Speculation regarding a setback for Rajbhar gained momentum after Abbas Ansari, son of SBSP MLA Mukhtar Ansar, i met SP National President Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on October 1.
The meeting took place at the SP office located at the Janeshwar Mishra Trust and lasted for about an hour to an hour and a half. While there has been no official confirmation regarding the details of their conversation, it is widely speculated that the discussion centred on the Rajya Sabha elections.
Four SBSP MLAs in contact with SP
Four out of the six MLAs belonging to the SBSP, the party led by Yogi government Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar,r are reportedly in touch with the Samajwadi Party. The list of these MLAs includes Om Prakash Rajbhar, Abbas Ansari, Hansu Ram, Dudhram, Bedi Ram, and Jagdish Narayan. Following Abbas’s meeting with Akhilesh, discussions regarding a potential political shift within the SBSP have intensified.
According to current claims, barring Om Prakash Rajbhar and Bedi Ram, the remaining four SBSP MLAs,s Abbas Ansari, Hansu Ram, Dudhram, and Jagdish Nara, yan are considered close to the SP. However, this cannot yet be termed a formal split, nor has there been any official announcement regarding these MLAs joining the SP. Speculation: Two RLD MLAs Also in Touch with SP
It is not just Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) within the NDA fold; two Muslim MLAs from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) are also reportedly in contact with the Samajwadi Party (SP). RLD MLAs Ghulam Mohammad and Ashraf Ali Khan (MLA from Thana Bhawan) might vote for the SP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections.
If these two engage in cross-voting, it would deal a major blow to the RLD. Any shift regarding these claims could impact the Rajya Sabha election results. This is why the meeting between Abbas Ansari and Akhilesh Yadav is not viewed merely as a meeting involving an MLA; the political equations surrounding the Rajya Sabha elections are also believed to be at play.
Akhilesh Yadav Makes a Significant Statement
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has made a significant statement following his meeting with SBSP MLA Abbas Ansari. Yadav remarked that some individuals wish to return to the party and that there is a sense of satisfaction in certain quarters. However, he did not make any explicit political announcement regarding Abbas Ansari.
Abbas’s meeting with Akhilesh has certainly sent out several political signals. On one hand, there are claims that four SBSP MLAs are leaning towards the SP, while on the other, two Muslim MLAs from the RLD are also said to be in contact with the party.
