Chaos at SP's Gorakhpur press meet as leaders clash over seating
A Samajwadi Party press conference in Gorakhpur descended into chaos following a physical altercation between supporters of two party leaders over seating arrangements. The incident, which involved an alleged assault, has been referred to the party's central leadership for disciplinary review.
Why it matters
Internal factionalism within major political parties can disrupt public communication and signal instability ahead of upcoming state assembly elections.
A press conference of the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Gorakhpur on Saturday (October 3, 2026) was disrupted after supporters of former district president Nagina Sahani and party leader Anshuman Singh allegedly clashed over seating arrangements, party leaders said.
The incident took place around 2:45 p.m. at the Journalists Press Club during a press conference convened by SP district president Brijesh Gautam to brief the media about the party's "Loktantra Bachao Saptah" campaign being held from October 2 to 8.
According to party functionaries present at the venue, an argument broke out after Mr. Anshuman Singh, who is seeking an SP ticket from the Gorakhpur Rural Assembly constituency for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, arrived at the packed hall with his supporters and sought seating space.
The argument soon escalated into a scuffle, during which Sahani was allegedly slapped by Mr. Kamlesh Singh, the son of Mr. Anshuman Singh.
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