A Samajwadi Party (SP) press conference in Gorakhpur descended into chaos on Saturday after a dispute over seating arrangements between supporters of former district president Nagina Sahani and party leader Anshuman Singh escalated into a scuffle.
The incident took place at around 2.45 pm at the Journalists Press Club, where SP district president Brijesh Gautam had convened the press conference to brief journalists about the party’s “Loktantra Bachao Saptah” campaign, being held from October 2 to 8.
The altercation has since triggered action within the party, with reports saying the SP expelled Anshuman Singh for alleged indiscipline later on Saturday.
Seating dispute turns into scuffle
According to party functionaries present at the venue, the trouble began when Anshuman Singh arrived at the packed hall with his supporters and sought space to sit.
Singh is seeking an SP ticket from the Gorakhpur Rural Assembly constituency for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Other reports have also identified former district president Nagina Sahani as a potential contender for the same seat, adding to the backdrop of the dispute.
What began as an argument over seating arrangements soon escalated into a physical confrontation between the two groups. During the scuffle, Sahani was allegedly slapped by Kamlesh Singh, the son of Anshuman Singh.
Party functionaries and senior leaders intervened and separated the two sides. A video purportedly showing the altercation subsequently surfaced on social media. Other reports said the incident forced the press conference to be disrupted as the situation became tense inside the venue.
Leaders trade allegations
Anshuman Singh said the controversy was being used to damage his reputation and alleged that political rivals within the party were deliberately trying to create an unnecessary controversy.
Sahani, however, accused Anshuman Singh’s supporters of misbehaviour, assault and intimidation. He further alleged that some people had entered the venue carrying illegal weapons.
The conflicting accounts could not be independently verified.
SP district president Brijesh Gautam said the matter would be brought to the notice of party president Akhilesh Yadav and that any further action would be decided by the party leadership.
Local SP leader Kajal Nishad described the incident as “regrettable” and appealed to party workers to exercise restraint.
Party action follows clash
The dispute subsequently moved beyond the local party unit. A party office memorandum dated October 3 reportedly announced Anshuman Singh’s expulsion from the SP on grounds of indiscipline. The action came on the same day as the confrontation at the Gorakhpur Press Club.
The incident also drew a political response from Nishad Party chief and Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad, who demanded action from Akhilesh Yadav over the alleged assault on Sahani. Nishad said that if action was not taken, he would consider a protest outside the SP office.
The clash comes ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with the contest for party tickets already emerging as a source of tension within local political organisations.