BJP’s potential gain: Influential SP figures may join ranks

Former Cabinet Minister Sahab Singh Saini and former Member of Parliament Rajpal Saini, two influential politicians from western Uttar Pradesh, are speculated to be on the brink of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), potentially causing a considerable disruption for Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP).
In recent political developments, sources indicate that the BJP is gearing up to lure significant SP figures in Uttar Pradesh, following the switch of Subhaspa president Omprakash Rajbhar and the previous Assembly Election’s SP ticket-holder Dara Singh Chauhan.
Both Sahab Singh Saini and Rajpal Saini hail from backward communities and possess substantial clout in western Uttar Pradesh. If the duo aligns with the BJP, the party might considerably strengthen its vote bank among the backward classes in this region.
Furthermore, the BJP has its sights set not only on western UP but also on Purvanchal, and rumours suggest that Sushma Patel and Jagdish Sonkar from SP might also consider a shift towards the BJP. Given that these politicians originate from Jaunpur, their induction would be critical for the BJP in a region that has traditionally posed challenges.
The BJP’s ambitious goal to secure 80 seats in the 2024 elections is driving the party’s efforts to fortify its position across all demographics. Both Sushma Patel and Jagdish Sonkar belong to the OBC and Dalit communities respectively. If the BJP succeeds in bringing these backward and Dalit communities into its fold alongside its traditional voters, the impact is likely to be seen in several surrounding seats.
Although there is considerable speculation about these politicians joining the BJP on Monday, there is yet to be an official announcement confirming these rumours.