Double Agent or Coordination Fail? Former MLA Joins SP, Stays on BJP List
Former Badaun MLA Sinod Kumar Shakya joined Samajwadi Party but appeared on BJP's state committee list the same day.
In a bizarre twist of political events that has left observers scratching their heads, former Badaun MLA Sinod Kumar Shakya, popularly known as 'Deepu Bhaiya', found himself belonging to two opposing political camps on the very same day. On Monday, October 26, 2026, Shakya officially defected to the Samajwadi Party (SP), only to be named as a key member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state executive committee just hours later.
A High-Profile Defection in Lucknow
The day began with a clear political statement. Sinod Kumar Shakya, accompanied by former Bisauli MLA Kushagra Sagar, traveled to Lucknow to formally join the Samajwadi Party. The induction took place in the presence of SP president Akhilesh Yadav, who hailed the arrival of new members as a crucial move for the party's organizational expansion and growth.
Shakya's move back to the SP is seen as a strategic shift in the political dynamics of Badaun, especially as the state gears up for the 2027 assembly elections.
The Evening Surprise: The BJP Committee List
While the Samajwadi Party was celebrating its new acquisition, the evening brought a confusing revelation. The Uttar Pradesh BJP president, Pankaj Chaudhary, released the updated 548-member state executive committee list for 2026. To the surprise of many, Sinod Kumar Shakya's name appeared prominently at serial number 88 as a representative from Badaun.
This created a surreal scenario where a leader who had spent his morning pledging loyalty to Akhilesh Yadav was officially recognized as a state executive member of the BJP by the end of the day.
Why the Confusion?
Political analysts are now questioning the internal communication within the saffron party. There are two primary theories regarding this blunder:
- Timing Issues: The BJP may have finalized and printed the extensive 548-member list before the news of Shakya's defection reached the high command.
- Coordination Breakdown: A significant gap in organizational coordination may have led to the inclusion of a member who had already exited the party.
A History of Political Hopping
Sinod Kumar Shakya is no stranger to switching allegiances. His political journey has seen him move through several major parties:
- He initially served as an MLA representing the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
- He later transitioned to the Samajwadi Party.
- In 2022, he shifted his loyalty to the BJP.
Reports suggest that his latest exit from the BJP was fueled by dissatisfaction. Shakya had reportedly been vocal about his grievances regarding his treatment within the party and had been persistently demanding a ticket to contest from the Dataganj constituency.
As the dust settles on this peculiar Monday, the incident has sparked a wider conversation about the internal communication processes within the Uttar Pradesh BJP unit, while the Samajwadi Party looks to capitalize on the momentum in the Badaun region.