SP changes candidates on two MLC seats, field BJP rebels
The Samajwadi Party has replaced two candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council polls with BJP rebels. Party leader Akhilesh Yadav used the announcement to criticize the BJP government's handling of education and exam integrity.
Why it matters
This political maneuvering highlights the ongoing struggle for influence in Indian state politics and the importance of education policy as a campaign issue.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday (October 3, 2026) changed two of its candidates in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council polls, announcing the names of Akash Agarwal and Sanjayan Tripathi, both rebels from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who had been demanding tickets from the ruling party. In Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers Constituency Mr. Tripathi has been named as the candidate in place of Kamlesh Yadav. In the Agra Teachers Constituency, the party has fielded Mr. Agarwal in place of Prakash Chandra Gupta.
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