SP Eyes Third Rajya Sabha Seat; BJP Claims 25 SP MLAs in Touch
Samajwadi Party hints at a third Rajya Sabha candidate while BJP's Keshav Maurya claims 25 SP MLAs are in touch with the ruling party.
The political temperature in Uttar Pradesh has reached a boiling point as the Samajwadi Party (SP) prepares for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. While the party has officially filed nominations for two candidates, top leaders have dropped heavy hints that a third candidate might be on the cards, promising "more surprises" to come.
On Wednesday in Lucknow, SP nominees Professor Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani filed their nomination papers in the presence of party chief Akhilesh Yadav. However, the conversation quickly shifted from the two official nominees to the possibility of a third entry into the contest.
Samajwadi Party Hints at Major Victory
When questioned about the potential for a third candidate, Professor Ram Gopal Yadav remained cautious, stating that only the National President could provide clarity on the matter. However, other SP leaders were much more vocal about their ambitions.
SP leader ST Hasan expressed absolute confidence in the party's strength, suggesting that if they decide to field a third nominee, they are fully capable of ensuring victory for all three. "SP will ensure that all three candidates win. We are fully confident. There will be more surprises now and also in 2027," Hasan remarked, adding that breaking the BJP's ranks would be a significant milestone.
Supporting this sentiment, Kanpur Cantonment MLA Mohd Hassan Roomi pointed to the nomination of Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani—a prominent industrialist from the Reliance Group—as a sign of the party's growing influence. Roomi claimed that once a third nomination is filed, victory will be a certainty, suggesting that the BJP and NDA are facing internal divisions.
BJP Fires Back with Explosive Claims
The Samajwadi Party's talk of "surprises" was met with a sharp counter-attack from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya turned the rhetoric around, asserting that it is the BJP that will deliver the real shock to the opposition.
In a stunning claim, Maurya told reporters that the BJP is already making inroads into the Samajwadi Party's ranks. "We will surprise them. 25 of their MLAs are in touch with us," the Deputy CM declared, suggesting a potential massive shift in the state's political landscape.
Questions Over the 'PDA' Formula
Not all allies of the ruling coalition were silent either. Om Prakash Rajbhar, the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Minister, questioned the strategic direction of the SP. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Rajbhar asked Akhilesh Yadav whether the rumored third candidate would align with the party's PDA (Pichhada, Dalit, Alpashankhyak) social engineering formula.
Rajbhar also issued a warning, suggesting that the SP should be careful not to let their pursuit of a third seat jeopardize the security of their second seat.
Nathwani Expresses Gratitude
Amidst the intense political maneuvering, nominee Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani took to social media to thank Akhilesh Yadav for the opportunity. Nathwani, who serves as the Director of Reliance New Energy Limited and President of the Gujarat Cricket Association, expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him as he enters this new chapter of public service.