By – Prakarsh Kastwar
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – In a significant political development, the Samajwadi Party (SP) on Sunday expelled three of its sitting MLAs – Abhay Singh (Gosainganj), Rakesh Pratap Singh (Gauriganj), and Manoj Kumar Pandey (Unchahar) – for allegedly promoting communal and divisive politics and supporting anti-people policies.
In an official statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the party stated that these leaders were found supporting ideologies contrary to SP’s foundational values. They were accused of endorsing “communal and divisive negativity,” and promoting policies that are anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-youth, anti-business, anti-working class, and against the “PDA” (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak – Backward Classes, Dalits, Minorities) framework which the party champions.
Party’s Official Statement on X:
“Abhay Singh, Rakesh Pratap Singh, and Manoj Kumar Pandey have been expelled from the party due to their continued support of divisive, communal, and anti-people ideologies. These individuals were already given a grace period to introspect and return to the party’s core values, which has now ended. The Samajwadi Party has no room for those who oppose its vision and engage in activities against its ideology. Loyalty to the people is paramount — wherever you are, be trustworthy.”
Political Shifts and Background:
Among the expelled MLAs, Manoj Kumar Pandey, a four-time MLA from Unchahar (Rae Bareli), had already displayed signs of dissent. During the recent Rajya Sabha elections, Pandey had cross-voted, favoring BJP candidates — a move that triggered speculations about his alignment with the saffron party.
Before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Pandey had started distancing himself from the SP, leading to expectations that he might be fielded as the BJP candidate from Rae Bareli. However, the ticket eventually went to Dinesh Pratap Singh. Interestingly, Pandey did not actively campaign for Singh and maintained a calculated distance from his public rallies, further indicating internal discord.
To address his growing displeasure, Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally visited Pandey’s residence in Rae Bareli — a move seen as the BJP’s attempt to mend ties and potentially bring him into its fold ahead of the elections. Following Shah’s visit, Pandey briefly joined the campaign trail, but his loyalty to BJP remained ambiguous.
Who Are the Expelled MLAs?
- Abhay Singh (Gosainganj) – Known for his aggressive political style, Singh had been a vocal figure in local politics but was reportedly at odds with SP’s central leadership in recent months.
- Rakesh Pratap Singh (Gauriganj) – A once-trusted SP leader, Singh has had a history of friction with the party and has been seen favoring rival narratives in recent times.
- Manoj Kumar Pandey (Unchahar) – The most senior among the three, Pandey was also SP’s chief whip in the Assembly but gradually drifted toward BJP, especially after the 2024 Rajya Sabha polls.
Future Implications:
The Samajwadi Party’s move comes as a stern message to its cadre ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections — that internal dissent and deviation from party ideology will not be tolerated. It also hints at the increasing political churn in Uttar Pradesh, where party-switching has become frequent as leaders look to secure positions and influence amid a rapidly changing political landscape.
This decisive step also reaffirms SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav’s commitment to maintaining ideological integrity and consolidating the party’s core voter base rooted in the PDA coalition of backward classes, Dalits, and minorities.
With these expulsions, all eyes are now on the future moves of these three MLAs – whether they will formally join the BJP, contest independently, or take a different route in their political careers.