The Samajwadi Party (SP) has released yet another list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, declaring contenders for five seats. Among the prominent names announced are Shivpal Singh Yadav, uncle of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who will contest from the Badaun constituency. This announcement brings the total number of declared candidates by the party to 31. Additionally, SP has also named its candidate for the crucial Kairana constituency, which was previously a point of contention with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).
The newly released SP candidate list includes:
- Kairana: Ikra Hasan
- Badaun: Shivpal Singh Yadav
- Bareilly: Praveen Singh Aron
- Hamirpur: Ajendra Singh Rajput
- Varanasi: Surendra Singh Patel
This announcement follows the SP's recent declaration of 11 more candidates from Uttar Pradesh, including Afzal Ansari, brother of don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari and BSP MP. Moreover, the SP has offered 17 Lok Sabha seats to the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, signaling a gesture of cooperation ahead of the elections. However, Akhilesh Yadav's participation in the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Raebareli hinges on the acceptance of this proposal by the Congress.
Why Shivpal Singh Yadav from Badaun?
The decision to field Shivpal Singh Yadav from Badaun holds significance given the political dynamics of the region. Dharmedra Yadav, who has been a two-time MP from Badaun, did not secure a ticket this time. This move by SP is seen as a strategic maneuver, possibly in response to the growing influence of Swami Prasad Maurya, who is actively campaigning in Badaun. Maurya, a former BJP leader, has been intensifying his efforts in the constituency, which could pose a challenge to SP’s stronghold.
Regarding BJP's strategy, while they haven't officially announced their candidates yet, preparations are underway, especially considering the sitting MP's active involvement in the campaign.
Dharmendra Yadav Likely To Be Fielded From Azamgarh
In a surprising turn, sources suggest that Dharmendra Yadav might be fielded from Azamgarh by the Samajwadi Party. Additionally, Dharmendra Yadav has been assigned the responsibility of Kannauj and Azamgarh constituencies, indicating a shift in SP's electoral strategy.
Notably, Ikra Hasan, who hails from Kairana, is the sister of Nahid Hasan, who contested the Kairana Vidhan Sabha seat in 2022 under the SP banner. Praveen Singh Aron, the candidate from Bareilly, has previously served as a Congress MP and Union Minister. He joined SP before the municipal elections.
The Samajwadi Party’s decision to field Ikra Hasan from the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency holds significance as she is the daughter of former MP Tabassum Hasan and holds an LL.M. from the University of London.