Three rebel SP MLAs join BJP ahead of 2027 UP polls

In a significant political development ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, three rebel Samajwadi Party (SP) MLAs — Rakesh Pratap Singh, Abhay Singh and Vinod Chaturvedi — formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday.

The legislators joined the ruling party at a programme in Amethi attended by senior BJP leaders, including Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary and former Union minister Smriti Irani.

Rakesh Pratap Singh represents Gauriganj in Amethi district, Abhay Singh represents Gosainganj in Ayodhya district, while Vinod Chaturvedi is the MLA from Kalpi in Jalaun district.

The three legislators had distanced themselves from the Samajwadi Party leadership after cross-voting in favour of BJP candidates during the February 2024 Rajya Sabha elections. Their formal induction marks the culmination of a prolonged political estrangement from the Akhilesh Yadav-led party.

Rebel MLAs cite 'differences with SP'

Speaking ahead of his induction, Rakesh Pratap Singh said his decision to join the BJP had the backing of his constituents and political supporters. He claimed that nearly 98 per cent of the grassroots workers associated with his electoral campaigns would also leave the Samajwadi Party and join the BJP.

Vinod Chaturvedi credited the Narendra Modi-led Central government and the Yogi Adityanath administration for development initiatives in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the Bundelkhand region.

He alleged that previous governments had neglected Bundelkhand and said infrastructure development and welfare programmes under the BJP administration had influenced his political decision. Chaturvedi also referred to differences with the SP leadership over religious issues, including controversies surrounding visits to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

BJP welcomes legislators, targets Opposition

Welcoming the three legislators, Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary said their political experience and grassroots connections would strengthen the party's organisational presence in the state.

Smriti Irani targeted the Congress and Samajwadi Party over dynastic politics and accused Opposition parties of attempting to undermine democratic institutions.

She also criticised the Congress leadership over its political record in Uttar Pradesh and its dependence on electoral alliances.

The induction comes as the BJP intensifies organisational preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections, with particular attention to the politically important Awadh and Bundelkhand regions.

SP downplays defections

The Samajwadi Party sought to downplay the development, maintaining that the rebel legislators had already distanced themselves from the organisation.

SP spokesperson Udayveer Singh said their decision to join the BJP would have little bearing on the party's political prospects, as their differences with the leadership had been evident for more than two years.

The three MLAs were among the legislators who broke ranks with the Samajwadi Party during the February 2024 Rajya Sabha elections, when cross-voting helped BJP candidates secure additional support.

Their formal entry into the BJP brings an end to months of speculation about their political future and adds another dimension to the ongoing political realignment in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 electoral contest