Story perspectives

Samajwadi Party won’t field third Rajya Sabha candidate in UP

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 10:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Samajwadi Party announced it will not field a third candidate in Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha elections on 16 October 2026.
Akhilesh Yadav said the party is concentrating on winning all 403 Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats.
The SP nominated veteran leader Ram Gopal Yadav and Reliance executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani in Lucknow.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced eight Rajya Sabha candidates, including minister Dharampal Singh and nominees representing Dalits and Brahmins.

History

Historical Context

In 1998, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s National Democratic Alliance secured a decisive victory in the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha elections, winning eight of twelve seats. The alliance’s success hinged on the Samajwadi Party’s support, as leader Mulayam Singh Yadav pledged three of its senior legislators, boosting BJP’s tally by 25 percent. Today, the Samajwadi Party reshapes its slate for the 2026 Rajya Sabha poll, nominating Ram Gopal Yadav and Reliance executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, skipping a third contender. This pattern underscores how strategic alliances and selective nominations continue to determine Uttar Pradesh’s upper-house composition, influencing the BJP’s quest for a legislative majority.

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Story summary

Samajwadi Party announced it will not field a third candidate in Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha elections on 16 October 2026.
Akhilesh Yadav said the party is concentrating on winning all 403 Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats.
The SP nominated veteran leader Ram Gopal Yadav and Reliance executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani in Lucknow.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced eight Rajya Sabha candidates, including minister Dharampal Singh and nominees representing Dalits and Brahmins.

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