Since the announcement of the results of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, there was a big question whether Akhilesh Yadav would prefer to remain MLA from Karhal seat or MP from Azamgarh. Resigning from the Lok Sabha membership on Tuesday, it has been made clear that Akhilesh Yadav, who is contesting the assembly elections for the first time, will continue to be the MLA of Karal. It is believed that keeping in mind 2027, the Samajwadi Party has changed its strategy. It is necessary for the party to strengthen its hold in UP more than the politics of the Centre.
Political experts believe that Akhilesh Yadav’s departure from the Lok Sabha in 2019 after losing power in 2017 sent a wrong message to the voters. He was less active in the ground politics of UP till a few months before the assembly elections. On several occasions, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi showed more activism than him and Akhilesh remained confined to Twitter. It is believed that the SP suffered a loss in the election due to this perception.
According to sources, when the entire Mulayam family gathered in Saifai on the occasion of Holi, there was a churning on whether Akhilesh Yadav should give up the membership of the assembly or the Lok Sabha. It is being told that SP Patron Mulayam Singh Yadav himself advised Akhilesh to start preparing for the next election by staying in the assembly. Ram Gopal Yadav also wanted the same.
The Samajwadi Party may have stayed away from power, but there has been a big increase in the party’s vote share as compared to 2017. The seats have also increased a lot. This added to the enthusiasm of the party. Seeing the election results from the same perspective, Akhilesh Yadav had said that his party’s seats have increased and BJP’s seats have decreased. Now it will be interesting to see whether he himself gives a direct competition to Yogi by becoming the leader of the opposition or will he take someone else forward?