The recent results of the Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh have not only impacted the Samajwadi Party (SP) but also have significant implications for the Opposition alliance known as INDIA, especially with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on the horizon.
Out of the 10 Rajya Sabha seats contested, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured eight, while the SP managed to secure only two seats. This outcome, despite the SP’s expectation to win three seats based on their legislative strength.
Notably, the BJP successfully secured its eighth nominee, industrialist Sanjay Seth, while the SP’s third candidate, ex-bureaucrat Alok Ranjan, faced defeat due to cross-voting from seven SP MLAs.
These Rajya Sabha elections were seen as a crucial test for the INDIA alliance, which includes the SP and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. However, following the setback suffered by the SP, concerns have arisen among alliance members regarding their prospects in key Lok Sabha seats.
The results have also led the Congress to criticize the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), previously avoided by the Congress in attempts to bring them into the INDIA alliance. The lone BSP MLA’s vote for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls has raised doubts about the BSP’s alignment, with Congress labeling them as the “B-team of BJP.”
Meanwhile, the SP faced internal challenges as trusted figures like Manoj Pandey, the SP’s chief whip, resigned during the polling process. Among the SP MLAs who cross-voted, Manoj Pandey represents the Unchahar Assembly segment in the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat, while Rakesh Pratap Singh represents the Gauriganj Assembly seat in the Amethi parliamentary constituency – both significant areas for the Congress.
Raebareli and Amethi have traditionally been Congress strongholds in UP. However, the presence of “rebel” SP members in these areas has caused concern within the Congress ranks, prompting a reassessment of their electoral strategy.
Furthermore, the BJP claims to have been in contact with the rebel SP legislators, further complicating the situation for the SP in these regions.
With the Lok Sabha elections looming, the SP faces the task of addressing internal dissent and strategizing effectively. The presence of “rebel” SP members from various communities underscores the need for the party to reevaluate its approach for the upcoming polls.
Regarding the alliance’s future, Congress representatives emphasized their adherence to the alliance principles, indicating that the SP needs to introspect on the recent setbacks.