Lucknow: Is Uttar Pradesh headed for a high-pitched electoral showdown in the high-stakes Rajya Sabha elections? The buzz intensified on Wednesday after Samajwadi Party named its two nominees for the upcoming Upper House elections, fielding party veteran Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, a group president at Reliance Industries Ltd , in a move that has altered the political arithmetic.
Sensing an opportunity for a political contest, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said BJP was prepared to up the ante.
We are ready for the contest,” Maurya said, claiming that at least 25 SP legislators were in touch with BJP and willing to support its candidates. On paper, BJP-led NDA commands over 290 votes, consisting of BJP’s 255 MLAs, 13 from Apna Dal (S), nine from RLD, six from SBSP, five from Nishad Party, two from Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) and three unattached legislators. Samajwadi Party has 101 MLAs on record. However, its strength has effectively been eroded since seven of its legislators cross-voted in the Feb 2024 Rajya Sabha elections. Factoring in these setbacks, SP’s effective strength stands at around 94 MLAs. The party requires the support of 74 MLAs to get its two candidates elected easily, leaving 20 votes to spare.
Earlier reporting noted: Addressing a press conference at the party’s state headquarters in Lucknow, Yadav said he was happy that the Samajwadi Party was sending “a new-generation person with new thinking” to the Upper House. Earlier reporting noted: He also said the alliance formed for the Lok Sabha polls would continue for the assembly elections, with seat allocation based on victory potential. “SP has given a surprise, but BJP will give a bigger surprise. His remarks came hours after Akhilesh claimed that several MLAs from NDA were in contact with Samajwadi Party. Pooja Pal was recently rewarded with the post of BJP’s state vice-president. SP is thus looking for additional support from MLAs of the rival camp to put up a contest with BJP.
Earlier reporting noted: Rajya Sabha polls: Akhilesh Yadav defends corporate pick, says socialism needs industries for jobs and prosperity Samajwadi Party national president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday robustly defended the nomination of corporate executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani for the Rajya Sabha polls, asserting that socialism, as envisioned by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, demands prosperity and equality that cannot be achieved without industrialists and genuine investment.
Complicating matters further, cracks are visible in both camps. SP is claiming support from NDA allies and disgruntled legislators While BJP claims several SP MLAs are in touch with it. SBSP MLA Abbas Ansari, for instance, has recently been openly aligning himself with the opposition camp.