SP Drops Plan to Field Third Candidate in UP Rajya Sabha Polls, BJP Set to Win 8 Seats

The Samajwadi Party has decided not to field a third candidate in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, clearing the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party to win eight of the 10 seats from the state. The development ends speculation over a possible contest for the eighth seat and means the BJP and its allies are expected to secure eight seats, while the Samajwadi Party is likely to win the remaining two.

The Rajya Sabha elections for the 10 Uttar Pradesh seats are scheduled for October 16. The terms of the sitting members are set to end, prompting the election for their replacement. The Samajwadi Party has nominated party leader Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani as its two candidates. The party had earlier considered fielding a third nominee, which could have resulted in a closely fought contest with the BJP.

The BJP has announced eight candidates for the Uttar Pradesh seats. Its nominees include Dharampal Singh, Radhakant Ojha, Prakash Pal, Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Priyanka Singh Rawat, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan and Shruti Gangwar. The BJPs candidate list also marks a change from the previous Rajya Sabha representation, with several outgoing members not being renominated.

The numbers in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly are crucial in determining the outcome of the Rajya Sabha election. Members of the Rajya Sabha from states are elected by elected MLAs through the single transferable vote system. The BJP and its allies have the numbers required to secure eight seats, while the SP has sufficient support for two candidates. A third SP candidate would have required the opposition party to secure additional votes, potentially making cross-voting a key factor.

With the SP now choosing not to field a third candidate, the possibility of a direct contest has largely disappeared. The decision also comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The BJP and SP are expected to intensify their organisational and electoral preparations in the months ahead. The final outcome of the Rajya Sabha election will depend on the completion of the nomination and election process. However, in the absence of a third SP candidate, the BJP is now positioned to win eight of the 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh, with the SP expected to secure two.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.