Will Mainpuri Victory Prove A Turning Point In Akhilesh Yadav's Political career

Lucknow: Akhilesh Yadav has gained political strength with victory in by-election in Mainpuri parliamentary seat. His wife Dimple Yadav won the seat with a historic margin. Uncle Shivpal Yadav has also merged his party Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohiya (PSPL) with Samajwadi Party after the result of the election. 

Old allies are returning

At the same time, old allies Omprakash Rajbhar and Keshav Prasad Maurya have also indicated to return to the alliance.

Since winning the 2022 Assembly election on SP symbol from Jaswantnagar, which falls under Mainpuri Lok Sabha, Shivpal was sidelined in the SP. Shivpal was seen cosying up with the ruling BJP by voting for the party nominee Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election. He later declared he would never join hands with the SP due to the alleged insult he had suffered in the party.

But now Akhilesh's spirits are high after the victory of RLD from Khatauli and Dimple in Mainpuri by-election. Uncle Shivpal Yadav and Chandrashekhar Ravan shared the stage. Old allies also gave indications of alliance with SP. Akhilesh's image is now becoming that of a serious leader.

SP will be more powerful now

Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Omprakash Rajbhar and Mahan Dal chief Keshavdev Maurya have also indicated to restore the alliance back with the SP. 

Omprakash Rajbhar had contested the 2022 UP assembly elections in alliance with the SP, though the alliance missed the magic number. After that, Rajbhar had also given very strong statements against Akhilesh and SP, but now his tone is changing again. Chandrashekhar Ravan had shared the dais and Keshav Dev Maurya had also supported SP in Mainpuri.

Shivpal's magic

There are speculations that Shivpal might be offered a leading role in New Delhi in the run-up to 2024 elections to establish better coordination with the like-minded Janata parivaar parties. Rajbhar has said that Shivpal is a seasoned politician and he can once again make a strong alliance in favor of Akhilesh. 

At the same time, Keshav Dev has also given a statement that in Mainpuri he has supported SP although BJP had fielded Shakya from there. If everything goes well, then BJP may have to brainstorm in 2024, because the picture changes when Akhilesh has an alliance with these small parties, we have also seen this in the assembly elections.