Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Akhilesh Calls Rajya Sabha Polls a Time to Unite
Akhilesh Yadav said the Rajya Sabha election period could be a time for political groups to work together.
He said they could put old disagreements aside when they share important concerns.
He mentioned democracy, the Constitution, the economy and ethanol blending in petrol.
A Samajwadi Party MP said the party plans to put forward a third candidate.
The party has already nominated Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani.
Uttar Pradesh has 10 seats being contested.
Based on the current numbers, the BJP-led alliance is expected to win seven seats and the SP with Congress support two.
A third SP candidate could make the election competitive and bring cross-voting into play.
Voting and counting are scheduled for October 16.
Akhilesh Yadav said the Rajya Sabha elections offered a chance to unite with others on matters of principle and set aside past grievances.
He cited concerns about democracy, the Constitution and the economy, as well as opposition to ethanol blending in petrol, as possible grounds for cooperation.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh said the party would field a third candidate; the party has so far nominated Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani.
The 10 Uttar Pradesh seats are projected to divide seven for the BJP-led alliance and two for the SP with Congress support, based on current assembly strength.
Nominations close October 6; polling and counting are scheduled for October 16, with a potential contest making cross-voting a factor.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party, and other parties contesting Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha seats.
- What
- Yadav called the polls a time to unite on matters of principle; the SP is reported to plan a third candidate, alongside its two nominees.
- When
- Yadav made his remarks on Friday. Nominations close October 6; polling and counting are scheduled for October 16.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh; the nominees filed their papers in Lucknow.
- Why
- Yadav said parties with shared concerns about democracy, the Constitution, the economy or ethanol blending could set aside past grievances and cooperate.
Cooperation and Reconciliation
Electoral Competition
Setting aside past grievances
Cooperation and Reconciliation
Akhilesh Yadav said the SP could join hands with people who share concerns about democracy, the Constitution, the economy or ethanol blending in petrol.
Electoral Competition
The reported plan to field a third SP candidate could create a contest and make cross-voting a factor.
Expected seat outcome
Cooperation and Reconciliation
The current numbers indicate the SP with Congress support can secure two of the 10 seats.
Electoral Competition
The BJP-led alliance is projected to win seven seats, and an additional candidate could prompt a competitive election.
- Seats being contested
- 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh
- SP nominees
- Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, nominated September 30
- Possible third candidate
- SP MP Virendra Singh said the party would field a third candidate
- Projected seat wins
- The BJP-led alliance can win seven seats; the SP with Congress support can secure two, based on current assembly numbers
- Assembly strength
- The BJP-led alliance has 288 MLAs in the 403-member assembly; the SP-Congress combine has about 103
- Nomination deadline
- October 6; scrutiny is October 7 and withdrawals are permitted until October 9
- Polling and counting
- Polling is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 16, with counting the same day
