Akhilesh Yadav calls 3rd seat bid in Rajya Sabha election a 'test' as results awaited
PTC News Desk: In a dramatic turn of events in Uttar Pradesh, at least five Samajwadi Party (SP) legislators cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav clarified that the decision to field a third candidate was a strategic move to unveil true allegiances, asserting that the victory lies in identifying the rebels.
Yadav's statement came after sensing dissent within the party, notably when eight MLAs skipped a dinner hosted by him the previous night. Describing the third candidate bid as a "test," he aimed to discern loyalty towards the marginalised communities. Despite this setback, results for the election on 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh are still pending.
हमारी राज्यसभा की तीसरी सीट दरअसल सच्चे साथियों की पहचान करने की परीक्षा थी और ये जानने की कि कौन-कौन दिल से PDA के साथ और कौन अंतरात्मा से पिछड़े, दलित और अल्पसंख्यकों के ख़िलाफ़ है।
अब सब कुछ साफ़ है, यही तीसरी सीट की जीत है। pic.twitter.com/SWzDhvtnvF — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 27, 2024
The SP faced a significant blow as its chief whip in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandey, resigned just hours before the election. Pandey, along with four others, was later seen expressing support for BJP's candidate RPN Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.
Highlighting the internal turmoil, Yadav acknowledged the brewing rebellion and hinted at expulsions for those involved. With Lok Sabha elections looming, this dissent poses a challenge for the SP, which plans to contest on 63 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh.
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For the 10 Rajya Sabha seats, 11 candidates are competing, with eight from BJP and three from SP. Despite claims of confidence from both sides, the BJP's recent securing of support from various parties boosts its prospects. Allegations of SP legislators being in contact with the BJP further add to the intrigue, with Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya suggesting Yadav lacks the numbers to win three seats.
With the BJP having 252 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly compared to SP's 108, the electoral dynamics favour the former. The BJP's decision to field an eighth candidate stirs up the competition, potentially swaying the outcome through cross-voting.
As the results remain pending, the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh continues to evolve, setting the stage for future electoral maneuvers and power dynamics within the state.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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