The political arena is once again abuzz with the strategic moves of the Samajwadi Party regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. After the announcement of candidates on several seats, there has been a surprising reshuffle, with new contenders stepping into the fray.
The recent discussions around changing candidates for the Kannauj seat in Uttar Pradesh have gained momentum. On April 22nd, the Samajwadi Party released its list of candidates, which included two notable names. Among them, Akhilesh Yadav, the party’s chief, fielded his family member and Tej Pratap Yadav, the son-in-law of Lalu Prasad Yadav, for the Kannauj seat, while Sanatan Pandey was given the ticket for the Ballia Lok Sabha constituency.
According to sources close to the Samajwadi Party leadership, local party workers and leaders from Kannauj were advocating for Akhilesh Yadav himself to contest from the constituency. They have urged him to reconsider his decision. Consequently, Akhilesh Yadav has decided to contest the elections himself. However, an official announcement from the Samajwadi Party is yet to be made. It is believed that Akhilesh Yadav may file his nomination from the Kannauj seat on April 25th.
Earlier, there were reports suggesting that Akhilesh Yadav, the national president of the Samajwadi Party, would not contest the Lok Sabha elections. There are political implications behind this decision. He aims to play a pivotal role as an opposition leader in Uttar Pradesh and intends to remain active in the state for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Looking back, Akhilesh Yadav resigned from the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat after becoming a legislator from Karhal in Mainpuri. He took over the leadership of the opposition himself. After joining forces with his uncle Shivpal Yadav, there was speculation about a rift over the leadership of the opposition, but he remained firm in his decision.
The reshuffling and strategic moves within the Samajwadi Party indicate a dynamic political landscape in Uttar Pradesh as the Lok Sabha elections draw near. The decision of Akhilesh Yadav to contest from Kannauj reflects his commitment to the state’s political arena and sets the stage for future political developments.
