The Samajwadi Party (SP) has entered full campaign mode ahead of the upcoming by-elections for ten assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh. On Monday, the party announced its candidate for the Karhal seat, which was vacated by Akhilesh Yadav after his election to the Lok Sabha. Tej Pratap Yadav, son-in-law of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav's nephew, has been selected as the SP candidate for Karhal.
SP’s National General Secretary, Ramgopal Yadav, made the announcement, underscoring the significance of the seat and the party’s ambitions for the by-elections. Karhal, a constituency that has been a stronghold for the Yadav family, became vacant when Akhilesh Yadav resigned after securing a seat in Parliament. With SP expected to perform well following their recent success in the Lok Sabha elections, the by-elections are seen as a crucial test for the party to maintain its political momentum in Uttar Pradesh.
Tej Pratap Yadav's Candidature for Karhal
During a rally in Karhal on Monday, Ramgopal Yadav formally declared Tej Pratap Yadav as the party's candidate. The announcement reinforced the Yadav family's continued influence in regional politics, with Tej Pratap, a member of the influential Saifai clan, being positioned to defend the seat in the upcoming election. This move also solidifies the party's confidence in Tej Pratap's leadership capabilities, particularly given the weight of the constituency and its political history.
SP is particularly keen on consolidating its position in these by-elections. Of the ten assembly seats where by-elections are being held, SP had won five in the 2022 elections. The party’s enthusiasm is palpable as they prepare for another electoral contest, with hopes of repeating their Lok Sabha success.
A Political Googly by Akhilesh Yadav
This is not the first time Tej Pratap Yadav has been in the electoral spotlight. He was initially fielded by SP as the candidate for the Kannauj seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, in a surprising turn of events, Akhilesh Yadav himself entered the race from Kannauj, replacing Tej Pratap as the candidate. This move was seen as a strategic political maneuver, or "googly," by Akhilesh. Following his victory in the Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh Yadav resigned from his position as the MLA of Karhal, paving the way for Tej Pratap’s candidature in the by-election.
BJP’s Preparations for the By-Elections
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also preparing aggressively for the by-elections. The party has shortlisted three potential candidates for each of the ten assembly seats, ready to mount a strong challenge. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a key meeting on Monday to discuss BJP’s strategy for the upcoming polls. The meeting was attended by senior leaders including Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, UP BJP President Bhupendra Chaudhary, Organization Secretary Dharampal Singh, and other top officials.
The by-elections are expected to be highly competitive, with both SP and BJP gearing up for a fierce political contest. The election dates are anticipated to be announced soon, setting the stage for another critical round of political battles in Uttar Pradesh.
With both major parties putting forth strong candidates and strategies, the upcoming by-elections are expected to be a significant indicator of the political mood in Uttar Pradesh, especially following the recent Lok Sabha results.
No comments:
Post a Comment