The Samajwadi Party (SP), a key player in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, has announced that its chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav, will contest from the Kannauj parliamentary constituency. This decision marks a significant development in the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha polls, as the Kannauj seat has traditionally been a stronghold of the SP. According to reports, Akhilesh Yadav will submit his nomination papers on April 25th.
Earlier, the SP had nominated Tej Pratap Yadav, Akhilesh’s nephew, as its candidate for the Kannauj seat. However, the party has since decided to replace him with Akhilesh Yadav after reports emerged that party workers were not satisfied with Tej Pratap’s candidacy. This change indicates a strategic move by the SP to maximize its chances of retaining the seat.
The news of Akhilesh Yadav’s candidature has garnered reactions from various political quarters. BJP candidate and incumbent MP Subrat Pathak expressed enthusiasm over the SP leader’s entry into the race, stating that it would make the contest more captivating. Pathak acknowledged that any candidate could emerge victorious or defeated in an election, but he emphasized that Akhilesh Yadav’s presence in Kannauj would undoubtedly add excitement to the competition.
Akhilesh Yadav has reportedly met with party cadre in Kannauj, where he was informed about the workers’ dissatisfaction with Tej Pratap’s candidature. This meeting likely contributed to the party’s decision to field Akhilesh Yadav instead. The SP is hopeful that Akhilesh Yadav’s popularity and political experience will help the party retain the Kannauj seat and strengthen its position in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
