While BJP leaders expected a major split in the Samajwadi Party, party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Thursday hit back at the saffron camp, alleging that the ruling party was “disturbed” by the rising popularity of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and was thus making “baseless statements” about the defections.
His remarks came in response to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s claim that several Samajwadi Party MPs were in touch with the BJP ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
“The situation is that the BJP is disturbed by the growing popularity of Akhilesh Yadav and, in its panic, is making baseless statements… Public confidence and trust in SP and Akhilesh Yadav has increased…” Prasad said.
BJP-SP face off over divided claims
The latest exchange comes after Uttar Pradesh minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya claimed that a major rift was brewing within the Samajwadi Party.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday denied any possibility of division, stressing that his party remained united and its workers were brave.
Yadav’s remarks came after Rajbhar claimed that a major split is looming in the SP, with several leaders, including senior party figure Ram Gopal Yadav, preparing to join the BJP.
Also Read: Rajbhar, Maurya say SP headed for split, Akhilesh Yadav denies allegations
Maurya also alleged that 25 to 26 Samajwadi Party MPs were on the verge of leaving the party before the 2027 Assembly elections, while denying that the BJP was trying to engineer defections.
In a post on
“There will be a major split in the Samajwadi Party. Ram Gopal Yadav has submitted a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji. Everyone in Uttar Pradesh knows who is the mastermind behind the mining scam and the Gomti river front scam. With the noose tightening, the SP is getting restless,” Rajbhar wrote.
In response, Akhilesh Yadav criticized Rajbhar without mentioning his name.
“Those making predictions should clarify whether the BJP is actually offering their party 75 seats, 50 seats, or just empty guarantees. The people who paid them advances – based on rumors they spread about getting 30 seats through an alliance with the BJP – are now looking for them,” Yadav posted on X.
Addressing reports of political instability, Maurya attributed the unrest within opposition parties to “dynastic politics, corruption and criminality”, saying any resulting divisions were the responsibility of those parties and not the BJP.
Maurya also rejected the SP’s recent outreach to Brahmin voters, claiming that it would not make electoral gains. “The SP is back in Saifai, the BJP is in Lucknow and will remain in power,” he said.
Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav also rejected speculation of a split, stressing that the party remained united ahead of the 2027 elections. “The Samajwadi Party is strong, very strong,” he told reporters in Kanpur on Wednesday evening.
(With agency inputs)
