In the midst of the ongoing voting for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, Samajwadi Party MLA and leader Manoj Kumar Pandey stepped down from the role of party chief whip. This move comes after his non-participation in the meeting called by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav regarding the Rajya Sabha elections, held a day earlier.
Pandey expressed his decision, stating, “I have requested the party chief to accept my resignation from the post of Chief Whip.” This development is closely monitored as voting dynamics for the Rajya Sabha seats unfold.
Following a meeting with Pandey, Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh revealed that Pandey, a supporter of Sanatan Dharma, voiced his discontent and advocated for the participation of everyone in the darshan of Ram ji. Singh noted, “Many public representatives are joining the BJP due to being influenced by PM Modi’s policies and the development happening in the country.”
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding party allegiance, another Samajwadi Party MLA, Rakesh Pratap Singh, hinted at voting against the party, emphasizing, “I’m not angry with anyone; I will vote according to the voice of the inner soul.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, after casting his vote for the Rajya Sabha elections in Lucknow, displayed a victory sign. Simultaneously, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav participated in the election by casting his vote.
Predicting cross-voting, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar stated, “The 8 candidates from the BJP are going to win. Raja Bhaiya and all our allies are in support of BJP.” Rajbhar claimed that Samajwadi Party leaders are openly agreeing to vote for BJP, anticipating a scenario of cross-voting.
Amidst the dynamic electoral landscape, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed optimism about winning three seats in the Rajya Sabha election. However, he acknowledged the potential for BJP to employ various tactics and suggested that some leaders within his party might pursue personal gains by aligning with the BJP.
In Uttar Pradesh, where 10 Rajya Sabha seats are at stake, the BJP has fielded eight candidates, and the Samajwadi Party has nominated three candidates. The BJP is confident in securing seven seats, while the Samajwadi Party envisions winning three seats. Reports indicate concerns about potential cross-voting.
The voting process for the Rajya Sabha seats occurred on Tuesday, with results expected on the same day. The outcome carries significance in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha polls in the country.