Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has rejected claims that his party is facing an internal split ahead of upcoming state elections.
These allegations surface as political maneuvering intensifies in Uttar Pradesh. The stability of the party is critical as rivals seek to weaken the opposition before the 2027 Assembly elections [2].
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya (BJP) said that 25 to 26 SP MPs are ready to break away [1]. Maurya said that internal dissent within the party has reached a breaking point, potentially leading to a formal fracture in the party's leadership structure.
Adding to these claims, SBSP chief and state minister O.P. Rajbhar said that MP Ram Gopal Yadav submitted a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah [3]. The alleged correspondence to New Delhi is being cited by BJP allies as evidence of a high-level defection in progress.
Akhilesh Yadav dismissed these reports and sent a message to party workers. He used the phrase "Jo darr gaya…" to signal his defiance against the rumors of a party collapse [3].
Other signs of friction appeared earlier this month. On May 24, 2026, Tej Pratap Yadav said he would not support Akhilesh Yadav and expressed a desire for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to return after the 2027 polls [4].
Despite these public statements from opposition leaders, the Samajwadi Party maintains that its ranks remain loyal. The BJP continues to assert that the party is rattled by internal instability, while SP members suggest the rumors are a reaction to Akhilesh Yadav's rising popularity [5].
“"25-26 SP MPs are ready to break away"”
The clash of narratives reflects a broader strategy by the BJP to destabilize the Samajwadi Party's coalition before the 2027 elections. By alleging a mass defection of 25 to 26 MPs, the ruling party aims to create a perception of fragility and leadership failure within the opposition. Whether these claims are based on actual dissent or are tactical psychological warfare, they highlight the high stakes of political alignment in Uttar Pradesh.
