Samajwadi Party (SP) national president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav recently gave his first reaction after expelting three party MLAs – Abhay Singh, Rakesh Pratap Singh and Manoj Pandey – from the party. This development has brought a new stir in the politics of Uttar Pradesh, as this decision gives signs of internal tension in the party and at the same time the possibility of political game intensifying in the context of the alliance with the BJP has increased.
Akhilesh Yadav’s press conference: “Technical Issue Elimination”
During a press conference in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav told in a conversation with reporters that the reason for the removal of these three MLAs from the party is technical. He said that the “technical issue” of these MLAs is now over, which means that they can now become a minister. Akhilesh clarified that these three MLAs were deprived of ministerial posts due to this technical obstruction.
He said, “They were being told that you are in SP right now, if you become a minister, you will have to leave your institution and then elections will have to be held. That is why they were not able to become a minister. I have finished this technical region.”
SP’s strategic step: to take out rebels
Akhilesh Yadav said that everyone was to meet the post of minister and was also assured. It is planned to remove the remaining rebels with the three MLAs becoming ministers. He said, “Why do you take out three and do not remove the rest? If they become three ministers then the rest of the people will also have to be removed. It is the responsibility of the BJP to make these people a minister.”
This statement can clearly consider an attempt to pressurize the BJP to deepen the rift in the party by giving rebel MLAs as a minister. This strategy can be important for maintaining SP’s strength in upcoming elections and coalition politics.
BJP MP Sanjay Seth
On this occasion, Akhilesh Yadav also targeted Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Seth. He said, “Do not want to discuss how much package the rebels got, but if someone has a ‘package’ in someone’s name, then think how much package will be given … Seth … which is Seth, anything can happen on it.”
This statement reflects a sharp attitude against the BJP and clearly indicates that the SP is making a strategy to surround the BJP on this issue. This is an attempt to increase political pressure so that the BJP clarifies its role towards rebel MLAs.
Case of cross voting and rebel MLAs in Rajya Sabha elections
The entire controversy is rooted in the Rajya Sabha elections held in February 2024, when seven Samajwadi Party MLAs carried out cross voting. This incident was a major setback for the party. About 15 months later, the party took a tough stand in the matter and took a step to expel three rebel MLAs from the party.
This decision is also being seen as a strategy to maintain the internal discipline of the SP. At the same time, it also clarifies the SP’s position regarding the alliance with the BJP that it will not tolerate the rebellion and would like to put pressure in its favor.
Political influence and further situation
After this decision of Akhilesh Yadav, the political wind of Uttar Pradesh has increased. This decision has sent a strong message to the party that indiscipline will not be tolerated. At the same time, the pressure on the BJP has also increased to fulfill the promise of rebel MLAs to become ministers.
In the coming time, it will have to be seen how the BJP handles this pressure and whether it strengthens the coalition by making rebel MLAs a minister or will the political fight over this issue be further sharp. At the same time, the Samajwadi Party is also preparing for the upcoming elections under its strategy and is taking necessary steps to strengthen its organization.
