Three Rebel SP MLAs Join BJP in Amethi Ahead of 2027 UP Polls
Rakesh Pratap Singh, Abhay Singh, and Vinod Chaturvedi officially join the BJP in Amethi, marking a major shift ahead of the 2027 UP elections.
In a major political development that could reshape the landscape of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, three rebel Samajwadi Party (SP) MLAs officially switched sides to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Amethi on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The induction of Rakesh Pratap Singh, Abhay Singh, and Vinod Chaturvedi into the saffron fold was marked by a high-profile ceremony in Gauriganj. The event was led by Uttar Pradesh BJP President Pankaj Chaudhary and BJP national general secretary Smriti Irani, signaling the importance the party attaches to this defection.
The Road to Defection: From Expulsion to Induction
The transition of these three leaders to the BJP is not a new development but the culmination of a long-standing rift. The MLAs—Rakesh Pratap Singh (three-time MLA from Gauriganj), Abhay Singh (MLA from Gosainganj), and Vinod Chaturvedi (MLA from Kalpi in Jalaun)—had been at odds with their former party for months.
The tension reached a breaking point in June 2025, when the Samajwadi Party expelled all three following allegations of cross-voting in favor of the BJP during the 2024 Rajya Sabha elections. On Wednesday, they completed their political journey by securing primary membership through the party's toll-free line and were formally welcomed into the BJP with traditional turbans.
Political Motivations and Ideological Shifts
During the ceremony, the incoming MLAs provided clarity on why they chose to leave the Samajwadi Party. Rakesh Pratap Singh highlighted the governance models of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as key drivers for his decision. He also expressed significant grievances regarding the Samajwadi Party's stance on cultural matters, specifically citing issues surrounding the Ramcharitmanas.
Pankaj Chaudhary, while welcoming the new members, suggested that their departure was symptomatic of a larger trend. He claimed the move reflects a growing sense of dissatisfaction within the SP regarding its approach to caste-based politics and perceived appeasement strategies.
Smriti Irani Targets Opposition
Smriti Irani utilized the platform to launch a scathing attack on the Congress party. She accused the Congress leadership of attempting to undermine the authority of the Election Commission and creating an environment of anarchy within the country.
Samajwadi Party Reacts
The Samajwadi Party was quick to downplay the impact of the defections. Responding to the news, SP spokesperson Udayveer Singh dismissed the significance of the move with a sharp analogy, comparing the departing MLAs to an appendix that is removed once it becomes problematic for the body.
As the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections approach, this consolidation of power in Amethi provides the BJP with a significant boost in grassroots organizational strength, while the Samajwadi Party faces the challenge of managing internal dissent and ideological shifts.