by Ajay Kumar
Lucknow: It was in February when seven legislators from the Samajwadi Party (SP) cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections. This resulted in eight BJP candidates winning the Rajya Sabha elections. At that time, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had reacted strongly, but even after eight months, Akhilesh Yadav has not yet taken any action against these seven rebel legislators, nor has he initiated any process for the same. This is why, six months after the rebellion, no application has been filed with the Assembly Speaker under the anti-defection law against these legislators.
Some people view this as part of the SP’s strategy to gain the sympathy of the legislators’ caste-based voters. However, SP’s chief whip in the Assembly, Kamal Akhtar, says that solid evidence is being gathered to ensure that the rebel legislators do not escape, and further action will be taken afterward.
It is noteworthy that in the Rajya Sabha elections held in February, SP legislators Manoj Pandey, Rakesh Pratap Singh, Abhay Singh, Rakesh Pandey, Pooja Pal, Vinod Chaturvedi, and Ashutosh Maurya voted in favor of BJP candidates. As a result, all eight BJP candidates won, and only two SP candidates managed to enter the Rajya Sabha. At that time, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed displeasure, stating that these legislators switched sides due to a package offered by the ruling party. The SP had also mentioned taking action against these legislators under the anti-defection law, but no application has been filed with the Assembly Speaker so far.
An SP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that these rebel legislators won the last election due to the SP’s support. The party’s strategy is to convey to these legislators’ caste-based voters that despite their betrayal, the party has not revoked their membership. SP hopes this will benefit them in the next election.
