In a surprising turn of events, the BJP in Uttar Pradesh secured a significant win in the Rajya Sabha biennial polls by ensuring the victory of its eighth candidate, Sanjay Seth, against a sanctioned strength of seven candidates. The BJP candidates who emerged victorious include prominent names such as former Union minister R.P.N. Singh and BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi.
The Samajwadi Party faced a setback as seven of its MLAs cross-voted in favor of the BJP, resulting in the defeat of its third candidate, Alok Ranjan. However, two SP candidates, including veteran politician Jaya Bachchan, were declared elected to the Rajya Sabha. SP President Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the BJP resorted to coercive tactics to influence the voting behavior of the legislators.
Among the MLAs who crossed voted, names like Manoj Pandey, Rakesh Pandey, and Puja Pal from SP were identified. Additionally, reports suggest that one MLA from the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) also went against the party line, although SBSP President Om Prakash Rajbhar denied these claims. Surprisingly, the lone BSP MLA, Uma Shankar Singh, supported the BJP, showcasing the political dynamics at play.
The voting process saw some dramatic moments, with Apna Dal (S) MLA Neel Ratna Patel arriving in an ambulance to cast his vote. The counting was momentarily disrupted when the vote of SP MLA Shahzil Islam was declared invalid by the returning officer. Out of the 399 MLAs in the UP Assembly, 395 participated in the voting process, with three MLAs in jail and one SP MLA abstaining from voting.
Overall, the Rajya Sabha biennial polls in Uttar Pradesh highlighted the complex political landscape, with unexpected alliances and dissent within parties. The BJP’s success in securing the win of an additional candidate underscores its growing influence in the state, while the opposition grapples with internal rifts and challenges in maintaining party discipline.
