In preparation for the upcoming by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has released its first list of candidates for six key Assembly seats. The party is optimistic about its chances, especially after a strong performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The by-elections will be held for a total of 10 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Among the notable names, SP has fielded Ajit Prasad, son of veteran MP Awadhesh Prasad, from Milkipur, highlighting the party’s strategy to rely on prominent political families for electoral success. The list also includes Tej Pratap Yadav from Sisamau, Naseem Solanki from Phulpur, Mustafa Siddiqui from Milkypur, Shobhawati Verma from Majhwan, and Dr. Jyoti Bind from Bind.
Tej Pratap Yadav, a member of the influential Yadav family and grandson of Mulayam Singh’s elder brother, is contesting from Sisamau. He has previously served as an MP from Mainpuri. Naseem Solanki, the wife of former SP MLA Irfan Solanki, will be contesting from Phulpur. Shobhawati Verma, wife of MP Lalji Verma, and a District Panchayat member, has been fielded from Majhwan. Dr. Jyoti Bind, daughter of SP leader Ramesh Bind, who lost to Anupriya Patel in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, will be contesting from Bind.
The Assembly seats in question include Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Karhal (Mainpuri), Milkipur (Ayodhya), Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar), Ghaziabad, Majhawan (Mirzapur), Sishamau (Kanpur City), Khair (Aligarh), Phulpur (Prayagraj), and Kundarki (Moradabad).
However, this announcement has reportedly caused friction within the INDIA alliance. Congress, which is an ally of SP, is reportedly unhappy with the list being released without prior consultation. As per reports, Congress is deliberating whether to accept SP’s offer of two seats or take further action that could strain the alliance.
As the by-elections draw closer, these developments are expected to shape the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh, particularly for the Samajwadi Party as it navigates both its internal candidate selection and its relationship with alliance partners.
