SP changes candidates on two MLC seats, field BJP rebels

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday (October 3, 2026) changed two of its candidates in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council polls, announcing the names of Akash Agarwal and Sanjayan Tripathi, both rebels from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who had been demanding tickets from the ruling party. In Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers Constituency Mr. Tripathi has been named as the candidate in place of Kamlesh Yadav. In the Agra Teachers Constituency, the party has fielded Mr. Agarwal in place of Prakash Chandra Gupta. 

“The leaders joining today have been declared candidates with the consent of the two previously announced Samajwadi Party candidates, Prakash Chandra Gupta and Kamlesh Yadav. All Samajwadi Party workers and leaders will consider this election their own and fight it. Along with Dr. Akash Agarwal and Dr. Sanjayan Tripathi, Samajwadi Party will work diligently to ensure the victory of all the declared candidates in the graduate and teachers’ seats. Those who have made sacrifices today will always be respected, and when the time comes, they will be given a respectable place,” said the SP president Akhilesh Yadav, addressing a press conference in Lucknow. 

Mr. Yadav alleged the education system has collapsed under the BJP government with paper leaks ruined the lives of young aspirants. “Education and examination systems have collapsed under the BJP government. Uttar Pradesh has seen the highest number of paper leaks in ten years. The BJP government has ruined school education. There is discrimination in government jobs. Under the BJP government, gangs have formed in the education department, the BJP government has discriminated against and exploited teachers. The Samajwadi Party will include the demands of unfunded teachers, Shikshamitras, and the old pension scheme in its manifesto for 2027 Assembly elections,” said the SP president. 

“Both candidates were welcomed by our president Akhilesh Yadav, the decision was taken in consultation with earlier declared candidates. The decision will strengthen the fight for the cause of social justice. We are hopeful of winning all the seats going for polls in teachers and graduate seats,” said Udaiveer Singh, the SP spokesperson. 

Elections to five graduates’ and six teachers’ constituencies of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council will be held on October 23, with counting on October 27.