The Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav, caught many off guard on Wednesday by announcing six candidates for the upcoming by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, despite the election dates remain undisclosed.
The party’s nominees for the bypolls include Tej Pratap Yadav for the Karhal Assembly constituency, Naseem Solanki from Sisamau, Mustafa Siddiqui contesting in Phulpur, Ajit Prasad representing Milkipur, Shobhawati Verma for Katehari, and Jyoti Bind in Majhwan.
These by-elections will fill nine of the ten vacant seats, which arose primarily due to the election of sitting MLAs to the Lok Sabha.
The Sisamau seat became vacant after Hazi Irfan Solanki, an SP MLA, was disqualified following a seven-year prison sentence for a criminal offense handed down by an MP/MLA court.
This announcement comes at a critical juncture, with ongoing tensions between the SP and Congress regarding seat-sharing arrangements for the bypolls, expected later this year.
The INDIA bloc, comprising various opposition parties, has struggled to reach an agreement, with Congress seeking five seats while the SP, buoyed by its recent Lok Sabha performance, offered only two to three.
The upcoming by-elections in ten assembly constituencies will serve as a crucial test of unity for the INDIA bloc, especially following the setback in the recent Haryana elections.
BJP Secures Third Term In Haryana; Prepares For Crucial By-Elections
The BJP returned to power in Haryana for a record third consecutive term, a move many attribute to Congress’s refusal to ally with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which analysts believe contributed significantly to the BJP’s success.
Meanwhile, the BJP is also gearing up for these by-elections, having formed a panel to finalize its candidates for all ten seats, marking a significant prestige battle following their disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
Of the ten seats up for grabs, the BJP previously held three, with its allies Nishad Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal securing one seat each, while the remaining five were occupied by SP MLAs.
The announcement of the by-election dates is anticipated soon, setting the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive political landscape in Uttar Pradesh.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Addresses Congress’ Loss In Haryana; Promises Action
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