Amid speculation about the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) led by Jayant Chaudhary potentially aligning with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before the Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav asserted on Wednesday that Chaudhary, the grandson of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, is educated and committed to the farmers’ cause.
“Jayant Chaudhary is educated and politically astute. I trust that he will not compromise on the fight for farmers,” said Akhilesh Yadav.
Reports suggest that Jayant Chaudhary is in advanced discussions with the BJP regarding a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This development follows Yadav’s announcement of an alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the RLD for the polls in April-May.
“Congratulations to all on the RLD-SP alliance. Let’s unite for victory!” posted Akhilesh Yadav on January 19, along with a photo of him shaking hands with Jayant Chaudhary.
Sources within the parties indicate that the RLD is likely to contest on 7 to 8 seats out of Uttar Pradesh’s 80, predominantly in Western UP. Additionally, the Samajwadi Party is forming an alliance with the Congress, which is expected to contest 11 seats.
Expressing confidence, Akhilesh’s wife and Samajwadi Party MP, Dimple Yadav, stated her belief that Chaudhary would not make a decision detrimental to farmers’ interests.
“I doubt Jayant Chaudhary, as RLD’s national president, would take any action harming our farmers, given BJP’s anti-farmer stance and disrespect towards our wrestlers,” she remarked to reporters in Parliament.
Similarly, Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav affirmed that the RLD would remain within the INDIA bloc.
“I know Jayant well. They are secular individuals. The BJP is misguiding through the media. RLD will stay in the INDIA alliance and defeat the BJP,” stated Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle to reporters.
During the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, SP and RLD had jointly contested.
