NEW DELHI: The political temperature in Uttar Pradesh continued to rise on Thursday as BJP leaders and ally Om Prakash Rajbhar stepped up claims of unrest within the Samajwadi Party (SP) ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.Soon fter Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar claimed that a “major political realignment” was underway within the SP, Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya asserted that several Samajwadi Party MPs were ready to leave the party.“25-26 MPs of the Samajwadi Party are ready to break away, but we are not breaking them away at all. We know that they will themselves break away from the party,” Maurya told reporters.The deputy chief minister also took a swipe at SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying his “cycle” would not be able to steer the party back to power.“Akhilesh Yadav’s cycle cannot operate the Samajwadi Party. That cycle can go to Saifai, but it cannot enter the corridors of power,” he said.Maurya’s remarks came amid a fresh round of claims by Rajbhar, who on Thursday reiterated that a split within the Samajwadi Party was bound to happen and advised Akhilesh Yadav to launch a “Save Our MPs” campaign.In a post on X, Rajbhar declared that a rebel faction of dissident SP MPs would soon emerge under the leadership of a leader from Ballia.“Ever since yesterday, everyone’s been asking what’s about to break in the SP? So listen! The rebel faction of SP’s dissident MPs will be led by a ‘red’ from Uttar Pradesh’s ‘Rebel Land,'” he wrote.“And why wouldn’t he? The way the SP office yesterday insulted Brahmins under the guise of a conference has deeply hurt the ‘red’ of ‘Rebel Ballia.’ The plan was already in place, but yesterday’s incident has poured ghee into the fire. The split is definitely going to happen,” he added.Rajbhar also accused Akhilesh Yadav of focusing on social media politics instead of addressing dissatisfaction within his party.“The way the entire Saifai family jumped into abusing me and issuing clarifications over one of my reactions — it’s far better for Akhilesh Babu to drop this Twitter, such-and-such, and PC-style leadership, and instead launch a ‘Save Our MPs’ campaign,” Rajbhar said.“And go to the homes of the upset and disappointed MPs to apologise to them,” he added.The SBSP chief also alleged that senior SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav had written to Union home minister Amit Shah regarding party MPs.“Only when someone is ready to be bought, people will buy them. Don’t keep your attention only on Maharashtra; it is UP’s number now,” Rajbhar had said, suggesting that political developments in Uttar Pradesh could soon rival reports of unrest in other opposition parties.The remarks have come at a time when political circles are already abuzz with reports of a possible split among Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs in Maharashtra and speculation surrounding a merger involving a section of Trinamool Congress MPs, fuelling wider discussions about opposition unity.The Samajwadi Party, however, has strongly rejected the allegations.Responding to Rajbhar’s claims, Akhilesh Yadav posted a cryptic message on social media: “Dana aur gana kab tak chalega yeh afsana.”Several SP leaders also dismissed the speculation.“There is no question of a split in the Samajwadi Party. Others are waiting to break away and infiltrate the Samajwadi Party,” SP MP Afzal Ansari said.Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq also rejected suggestions of disunity.“Whether it’s a lure of temptation or pressure, that policy will not work on any member of the Samajwadi Party. The party is united and ready to put up a tough fight,” Barq said.Despite repeated claims from Rajbhar and BJP leaders, the opposition has maintained that the allegations are politically motivated and aimed at creating a perception of instability within the party as Uttar Pradesh moves closer to the 2027 assembly elections.
