Why Did the Samajwadi Party Expel Three MLAs?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three MLAs expelled from Samajwadi Party for anti-party activities.
- Legislators failed to align with party values after a grace period.
- Cross-voting during Rajya Sabha elections led to their expulsion.
- Party emphasizes loyalty and ideological integrity.
- Future actions against dissenters may follow.
Lucknow, June 23 (NationPress) The Samajwadi Party (SP) announced on Monday the expulsion of three sitting MLAs -- Abhay Singh (Gosaiganj), Rakesh Pratap Singh (Gauriganj), and Manoj Kumar Pandey (Unchahar) -- due to their involvement in what the party termed anti-party activities and ideological divergence.
This decision was conveyed through an official statement shared on the party’s X handle.
The announcement highlighted the legislators’ supposed alignment with “communal, divisive, and negative ideologies,” which stand in stark contrast to the party’s “socialist, harmonious, and progressive” values.
“Given their persistent opposition to the interests of farmers, women, youth, entrepreneurs, working professionals, and the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) alliance, along with their endorsement of ideologies that contradict the core principles of the SP, the party has decided to expel the following MLAs in the public interest -- Shri Abhay Singh (Gosaiganj), Shri Rakesh Pratap Singh (Gauriganj), and Shri Manoj Kumar Pandey (Unchahar),”
stated the party in its post.
The SP further remarked that these legislators were previously granted a “grace period” to reassess their political affiliations and rejoin the party, but they failed to comply.
“This grace period has now concluded. Moving forward, those engaging in anti-people activities and opposing the party’s ideology will find no place in the Samajwadi Party,”
it added.
The party also warned them, stating, “Wherever you are, remain trustworthy.”
The expelled MLAs had previously rebelled against the party during the Rajya Sabha elections held in 2024.
Despite holding party positions, they cross-voted in favor of the BJP. Although the SP possessed the numerical strength to elect three candidates to the Rajya Sabha, cross-voting by at least seven of its MLAs enabled the BJP’s eighth candidate, Sanjay Seth, to win, resulting in the SP's third candidate losing the election.
Since the Rajya Sabha elections, these MLAs have been observed associating with the BJP, participating in its events, and distancing themselves from the SP’s political direction.
Despite their expulsion, the three legislators technically remain Samajwadi Party MLAs in the Assembly records unless further legislative action is taken.