New Delhi, October 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav’s cryptic social media post saying the party is not focused on “three” but “403” seats has triggered speculation over its strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Yadav posted on X that the SP’s larger focus is on all 403 seats of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, rather than just three seats. The remark comes amid speculation that the party could consider fielding a third candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections.
The BJP on Monday announced eight candidates for the biennial elections to 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh. Based on the current strength of the Assembly, the BJP is in a position to win seven seats, while the SP has the numbers to secure two.
The SP has so far nominated party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani as its two candidates. Both filed their nomination papers in the presence of Akhilesh Yadav.
The BJP’s eight nominees are Dharampal Singh, Radhakant Ojha, Prakash Pal, Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Priyanka Singh Rawat, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan and Shruti Gangwar.
The BJP list includes two women candidates — Priyanka Singh Rawat and Shruti Gangwar — while the selection has also been viewed in the context of caste and demographic considerations within the state.
The biennial elections for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats are scheduled for October 16, with the terms of the sitting members ending on November 25.
The SP currently has 101 lawmakers in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Against this backdrop, Yadav’s reference to all 403 seats has added to the political suspense over whether the party will enter the contest for a third Rajya Sabha seat.
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