Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party Faces Major Setback As Chief Whip Resigns Ahead Of Polling For Rajya Sabha Elections

In a big setback for Samajwadi Party ahead of the polling for 10 Rajya Sabha seats, which is being held today, the chief whip of the party in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly has resigned from his post.

Manoj Kumar Pandey, the MLA from Unchahar, tendered his resignation shortly after eight MLAs were notably absent from a dinner hosted by party leader Akhilesh Yadav, raising concerns about potential cross-voting in the Upper House election.

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This development poses a challenge to the Samajwadi Party's chances in this crucial election and adds to the party's pre-election anxieties, especially with the general election just months away.

The SP, which is part of the INDI alliance, plans to contest 63 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, and internal dissent at this juncture could severely impact its performance.

Akhilesh Yadav had earlier accused the BJP of exerting pressure on his party's MLAs, alleging that they resort to intimidation, threats, and misuse of power to influence the election outcome.

"This is how they work. They instil fear, threaten people, use agencies or take up any old case and pressure them. All these will not work in this election," he said on Monday (26 February).

Despite his firm stance yesterday, his tone was less assured today.

"We hope all three candidates of Samajwadi Party win. BJP can use all the tactics to win elections. BJP will do everything possible for victory. Some of our leaders who want personal gains can go to the BJP," he said.

Out of the 56 Rajya Sabha seats that fell vacant this year, 41 candidates have already been elected without opposition.

The battle for the remaining 15 seats includes 10 in Uttar Pradesh, where 11 candidates are vying for positions - eight from the incumbent BJP and three from the main opposition, the Samajwadi Party.

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