States » NorthPosted at: Oct 14 2026 7:29PM


Three rebel SP MLAs formally join BJP in Amethi

By Manoj Bhadra
Amethi, Oct 14 (UNI) Giving a strong message to the opposition, particularly the Congress, before the assembly polls, three rebel Samajwadi Party MLAs, Rakesh Pratap Singh, Abhay Singh, and Vinod Chaturvedi, on Wednesday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Uttar Pradesh BJP president and union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary and BJP general secretary and former union minister Smriti Irani.
At a membership ceremony held in Gauriganj in Amethi, the three took primary membership by dialing the BJP's toll-free number.
Later, state president Pankaj Chaudhary, in the presence of National General Secretary Smriti Irani, welcomed the three MLAs by presenting them with the party's turban.
All three MLAs won the 2022 assembly elections on SP tickets.
However, during the Rajya Sabha elections in February 2024, they went against the party line and cross-voted in favor of the BJP candidate.
Rajesh Pratap Singh is MLA from Gaurigani in Amethi District, Abhay Singh is MLA from Goshainganj seat in Ayodhya district and Vinod Chaturvedi is MLA from Lalpi in Jalaun district.
On the occasion, BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary, attacking the opposition, said that those who are creating anarchy and questioning the Constitutional institutions are the people who, from time to time, insult the country abroad and have been questioning the army.
He said, "They want to turn the nation's capital into Kurukshetra. They want to spread anarchy in the country. They are calling the mandate they received in the elections a theft. For them, there is neither democracy nor the Constitution. The double-engine government is serving the country day and night."
He claimed that the work Smriti Irani accomplished in Amethi was something the Gandhi family could never have thought about.
"Our leaders, Modi and Yogi, have also opened the treasury in Amethi and Rae Bareli. But before that, it was turned into an ATM. ATM means Amethi, you vote, we won't do anything," he charged.
Pankaj Chaudhary said, "Amethi and Rae Bareli are not anyone's fiefdom. Those in power for decades have sent them into this abyss. Now the time has come to send them back to the abyss. Be it the Samajwadi Party or the Congress, the time has come to send everyone to the abyss."
Attacking the Gandhi family, Smriti Irani said ,"Amethi is witness to the fact that if that Congress family cannot contest elections in this area on its own, then how can it lead the nation on its own."
Irani challenged the opposition saying, "You can gather as many parties as you want and try to make your prince emperor; but the truth in Uttar Pradesh is that Congress has been losing nine consecutive assembly elections. Instead of worrying about the reasons behind this, Congress is blaming the Election Commission of India."
She said, "Those who want to use the Election Commission as a gun to attack Indian democracy, they should listen carefully -- that as long as even a single worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party is on this earth, we will not allow democracy to be insulted."
"The power of Kashi, Bundelkhand, and Awadh has come together under one roof. God had already punctured the bicycle. This time, this trinity will achieve it with the blessings of Lord Shri Ram and a commitment to development," she claimed.
Rebel MLA Rakesh Pratap Singh said, "I haven't come to Gauriganj to become an MLA, but rather to make a BJP MLA from here. We will work to ensure the victory of whoever the BJP nominates as its candidate."
Another rebel MLA Abhay Singh said that ration cards and housing are being issued in the names of women, making them homeowners. He said that action has been initiated against job scams, and IAS officer Yogesh Kumar has been arrested.
He alleged that the people of Ayodhya were misled in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and claimed that the SP candidate would be defeated by millions of votes this time.
Abhay Singh said that during the Samajwadi Party government from 2012 to 2017, job scams were rampant, and sycophants were given jobs. Those who studied were left out, while those who flattered were recruited. Today, there is no discrimination.
"You must have seen the Rajya Sabha elections recently; SP has given importance to family and business," he added.
Abhay Singh said, "I was born in the same family as the eminent personality of Lord Rama. When the Ram Charit Manas was burned, the Samajwadi Party did not protest. This hurt my feelings. Therefore, we decided to leave the Samajwadi Party."
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