Lucknow: Several former legislators and prominent political leaders from the BJP, BSP and other parties joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), expressing confidence in the leadership of party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and their faith in the party’s policies.
The leaders joined the SP along with thousands of supporters at an event attended by senior party functionaries. The new entrants pledged to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and work towards making Akhilesh Yadav the chief minister.
Among those who joined were former Bisauli (reserved) MLA Kushagra Sagar and former Dataganj MLA Sinod Kumar Shakya from Badaun. Former IAS officer Ram Bahadur Pasi, a former BSP candidate from the Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha constituency, also joined the party. Other prominent entrants included former MLA Ajay Kumar from Prayagraj, former BSP candidate from Sevata in Sitapur Chandra Prakash Mishra, BJP leader and FCI director Pradeep Pandey from Shahjahanpur, and former Tilhar block chief Saurabh Singh Gandhi.
The list also included former Tilhar Assembly Speaker Ramakant Gautam, former Fatehpur BSP leader Ramnarayan Nishad, Hiralal Nishad, BJP leader Balbir Pal from Chitrakoot, BSP leader Anil Pal from Prayagraj, former MLC Prabhavati Pal, Agra district panchayat member Manik Chandra Diwakar, and former Agra district panchayat member Janak Singh Lodhi.
Other entrants included Dr Shabiha Parveen, Dr Marghoob Qureshi and Zeeshan Ali from Moradabad, along with several leaders and social representatives from different districts.
Welcoming the new members, Akhilesh Yadav said their entry had strengthened the party and its PDA initiative, which represents Pichhde, Dalit and Alpsankhyak communities—backward classes, Dalits and minorities.
He said the induction of leaders from eastern and western Uttar Pradesh had sent a message in support of the PDA alliance across the state. Describing the new entrants as important pillars of the initiative, Yadav said their participation would strengthen the party’s political efforts ahead of the Assembly elections.
Yadav assured the new members, their supporters and party workers that they would receive due respect within the organisation. He also acknowledged the support of those committed to the ideals of social justice and the legacy of Dr BR Ambedkar.
SP national general secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav welcomed the leaders, saying the party was pleased to receive senior political figures from different districts. He alleged that the BJP was dividing society, while Akhilesh Yadav was working to bring people together. He also criticised the BJP government over corruption, inflation and unemployment.
Several senior SP leaders attended the event, including Ayodhya MP Awadhesh Prasad, MP Neeraj Maurya, MP RK Chaudhary, Muzaffarnagar MP Harendra Malik, former MP Salim Iqbal Sherwani, state president Shyamlal Pal and Sardhana MLA Atul Pradhan. Former MLA Roshan Lal Verma and other party leaders were also present.
Former cabinet minister Rajendra Chaudhary and Badaun MP Aditya Yadav attended the gathering along with other party functionaries and supporters.
The inductions come as political parties prepare for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with the SP seeking to expand its support base across communities and regions.
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