In a significant turn of events during the Rajya Sabha elections for 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious, securing eight seats, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) managed to bag only two. The outcome dealt a setback to the SP, which, despite having the potential to win three seats based on its legislative strength, faced cross-voting from seven of its MLAs.
The BJP successfully secured the election of its eighth nominee, industrialist Sanjay Seth, while the SP’s third candidate, ex-bureaucrat Alok Ranjan, faced defeat due to the cross-voting within the party. This result has not only impacted the SP but also raised concerns for the Opposition alliance, INDIA, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The INDIA alliance, comprising the SP and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, viewed the Rajya Sabha polls as a litmus test. However, with the setback for the SP, there are apprehensions among alliance leaders about its potential impact on key “winnable” seats in the upcoming general elections.
The Congress, in response to the poll results, criticized the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for its lone MLA’s vote in favor of the BJP. State Congress president Ajay Rai accused the BSP of acting as the B-team of the BJP, challenging the unity within the opposition fold.
In a surprising turn, some SP leaders, including chief whip Manoj Pandey, quit during the polling, leading to speculation about internal challenges within the party. The cross-voting by SP MLAs, including Manoj Pandey, Rakesh Pratap Singh, and the absence of Maharaji Prajapati, has raised eyebrows, especially considering Raebareli and Amethi’s significance as Congress strongholds.
Raebareli and Amethi, traditionally Congress bastions, face a new dynamic with the BJP making inroads. The presence of rebel SP faces in these constituencies has created concern within the Congress, prompting a review of its election strategy for these crucial seats.
The BJP claims that senior party leaders were in contact with rebel SP legislators, indicating a potential rift within the opposition ranks. With Sonia Gandhi stepping back from electoral politics, the focus now shifts to Priyanka Gandhi as the likely Congress candidate from Raebareli.
The aftermath of the Rajya Sabha poll outcome poses a larger challenge for the SP, which must address internal issues promptly to strengthen its position for the upcoming political battles.
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