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There is turmoil in the political corridors of Uttar Pradesh at present and the election excitement has reached its peak. A very big and sensational news is coming out from the political arena of the state, which has shaken the Samajwadi Party (SP) from within. Rakesh Pratap Singh, the strong MLA from Gauriganj seat of Amethi, who was once very close to Akhilesh Yadav and considered a strong pillar of his youth brigade, has finally left the ‘cycle’ forever and has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After changing the party, a statement of Rakesh Pratap Singh has come out which has surprised even the political analysts. He has made a huge claim regarding his political journey and future, after which a round of debates has started in the political circles of Uttar Pradesh. Let us know from the perspective of a political reporter what such a big statement Rakesh Pratap Singh made as soon as he joined BJP and what is the real inside story behind his defection.
The script of this political drama was not written today but some time ago. During the last few years, there have been many turning points in the politics of Uttar Pradesh which have changed the definition of traditional alliances and loyalties. Rakesh Pratap Singh, who won the assembly elections thrice (2012, 2017 and 2022) on Samajwadi Party ticket and captured the Gauriganj seat, came into limelight recently when he rebelled against the party line. The discussions about his cross-voting had gained momentum during the Legislative Assembly and Rajya Sabha elections, after which his distance with the Samajwadi Party leadership kept increasing. Although he had technically separated from the party, his move to formally and formally join BJP has made it clear that he is now completely painted in saffron colours.
After joining the membership of Bharatiya Janata Party, when Rakesh Pratap Singh was asked why he left his traditional seat and strong support base and joined the ruling party, he replied in very bold and strong words. He said that if he had wanted, he could have easily won the upcoming assembly elections for the fourth time by staying in the Samajwadi Party, because the people of his area and his ‘Gauriganj family’ have always stood with him like a rock. But for him, winning elections or merely remaining an MLA is not everything. He said in clear words that doing politics where there are talks against religion and Sanatan, where faith is attacked and forces that divide the society are encouraged, is against his principles. Linking this step to ideological purity and protection of Sanatan culture, he has made a sharp attack on the socialist leadership.
Political experts believe that this decision of Rakesh Pratap Singh is not just a result of personal resentment, but there is a huge electoral mathematics hidden behind it. BJP is continuously working on a strategy to make a dent in Amethi, which was once considered the traditional and safest stronghold of the Gandhi family. By bringing into its fold the strongest and grassroots leader in an important assembly seat like Gauriganj, where the Samajwadi Party has been dominant for a long time, the BJP has made a huge masterstroke before the upcoming elections. The presence of central leaders and senior party officials during this mega event has proved that the party is in full aggressive mood to further strengthen its hold in the Awadh region.
Every major political event has its own pros and cons. With Rakesh Pratap Singh joining BJP, on one hand the party has got a strong and aggressive Thakur face in Amethi and surrounding districts, on the other hand, murmurs have started among the old party workers and leaders at the local level. Some local BJP leaders and officials already active in Gauriganj area have also indicated their internal opposition on this issue. In such a situation, the biggest challenge before the BJP organization will be to create better coordination between all the local satraps and workers just before the elections, so that the original voters and the newly arrived support base of the party can come on one platform and contest the elections with full strength.
With Rakesh Pratap Singh as well as other rebel MLAs switching sides and joining BJP, it has become clear that the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are going to be very exciting, interesting and closely fought. This politics of party-change has shown that in today’s times, political future and equations matter more than ideology. In the coming days, as the election dates come closer, many more such big political shocks can be seen from other parts of the state, which will decide the entire direction and condition of the politics of Uttar Pradesh.