- India,
- 06-Oct-2026 12:52 PM IST
The suspense surrounding the Samajwadi Party's third candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh appears to have reached a conclusion. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav has provided a significant indication through a social media post, suggesting that the party won't be fielding a third contestant. In a post shared on the social media platform X, Akhilesh Yadav stated that the party's focus is no longer on just three seats but is now directed towards all 403 assembly seats in the state. This statement is being interpreted as a clear signal that the party has decided to step back from the race for a third Rajya Sabha seat, especially since today marks the final date for filing nominations.
Strategic Shift Towards Assembly Focus
The timing of Akhilesh Yadav's post is crucial as it coincides with the deadline for Rajya Sabha nominations. Previously, there was intense speculation that the Samajwadi Party might announce a third name at the last minute to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party. However, the mention of 403 seats indicates a broader strategic shift. By referencing the total number of assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav has signaled that the party organization is prioritizing its strength across the entire state for future electoral battles rather than exhausting resources or political capital on a single additional Rajya Sabha seat at this juncture. This move is seen as an effort to consolidate the party's position and focus on grassroots strengthening across all constituencies.
Candidates and Electoral Dynamics
Elections are being held for 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. Based on the current numerical strength in the assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party has enough numbers to directly win 7 seats. The Samajwadi Party has already nominated two candidates: senior party leader Ram Gopal Yadav and Reliance Industries official Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani. Both candidates have already filed their nomination papers in Lucknow. Despite earlier statements from party spokespersons like Fakhrul Hasan Chand, who suggested that a third candidate would be fielded once the necessary numbers were secured, the latest update from the party chief suggests a change in plan. Previously, party MP Virendra Singh and MLA Ravidas Mehrotra had also given similar hints regarding a potential third candidate, but the final decision now rests on the 403 seat strategy.
BJP's Nomination Process
On the other side of the political spectrum, the Bharatiya Janata Party is moving forward with its 8 candidates. These candidates are scheduled to file their nomination papers today. The group of candidates includes Dharmpal Singh, Radhakant Ojha, Prakash Pal, Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Priyanka Singh रावत, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan, and Shruti Gangwar, while their nomination process will be conducted under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP State President and Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. The event will see the presence of various state ministers, party officials, and senior leaders, starting with a gathering at the party's state headquarters before proceeding to file the papers.
Political Criticism and the PDA Factor
The Rajya Sabha nominations have also drawn criticism from political opponents. Rajbhar took to social media to question Akhilesh Yadav's selection process, specifically targeting the "PDA" (Pichda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak) formula. Rajbhar's post on X read: "I heard Akhilesh Yadav that you're going to field three candidates for Rajya Sabha. Tell me, will all three be from your 'PDA', while the first one is the Professor (Ram Gopal Yadav), so he's from your PDA 'family'. Now who will be from 'D' and 'A'? Will 'D' be someone 'Daulatmand' (wealthy)? Will 'A' be an 'Apradhi' (criminal), while " This critique highlights the ongoing political tension regarding representation and candidate selection within the state's political landscape.
