Akhilesh Yadav Gets Surprise Dinner During Rajya Sabha Election Amid Cross-Voting Buzz

The Samajwadi Party (SP) is facing challenges from cross-voting in the upcoming elections. This could impact their prospects in the key election and cause concerns in the months leading up to the general election. The SP will be contesting 63 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh as part of the INDIA alliance, and any mutiny within the party before the polls would be a significant setback.

Akhilesh Yadav, the SP chief, has warned that MLAs who break ranks and vote for BJP candidates will face expulsion. He expressed concerns about rebellion when some members skipped a dinner, amid rumors of offers being made to them. Akhilesh Yadav made it clear that those involved in the mutiny would be expelled from the party.

In the current scenario, there are 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, with 11 candidates in the race – 8 from the ruling BJP and 3 from the main Opposition Samajwadi Party. The BJP is confident about the victory of all its candidates, especially after securing the support of the Rastriya Lok Dal. The absence of eight MLAs from the SP at a recent dinner has raised concerns within the party about potential cross-voting.

Speaking to NDTV, a SP legislator expressed worry about the implications if the absence was due to members being influenced by monetary offers. The BJP and SP have fielded their respective candidates for the seats, and the BJP has adequate numbers to get seven candidates elected. The ruling Congress is confident of winning three seats, and the BJP-JDS combine has the numbers to win at least one seat.

Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, only one seat is going to polls, and the BJP has forced a contest by fielding a candidate. The electoral dynamics have made the upcoming polls an exciting contest, with multiple parties and alliances vying for victory.