In a development reverberating through Uttar Pradesh's political arena, the Samajwadi Party faces internal turbulence as prominent members defect, hinting at a significant realignment of alliances and loyalties.
The latest blow to the Samajwadi Party comes as Manoj Pandey, a seasoned MLA within the party, tendered his resignation as the Chief Whip of the Samajwadi Party in the state assembly, marking a pivotal moment in the party's hierarchy.
In his resignation addressed to the National President, Akhilesh Yadav, Pandey expressed his decision, stating, “You had appointed me as Chief Whip of Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh Assembly. I am resigning as the Chief Whip. Kindly accept my resignation.”
Pandey, who represents the Unchahar constituency in Raebareli, previously served as a Cabinet Minister in the Akhilesh Yadav-led government.
Upon announcing his resignation, Pandey affirmed, "I have requested the party chief to accept my resignation from the post of Chief Whip," before proceeding to meet Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh.
Following their meeting, Minister Singh remarked on Pandey's ideological inclinations, stating, "Many public representatives are joining the BJP due to being influenced by PM Modi's policies and the development that is happening in the country. Manoj Pandey ji has always been a supporter of Sanatan Dharma, he has been giving equal statements on this issue inside and outside the House. That's why he was unhappy there and when the proposal came for the darshan of Ram ji, he wanted everyone to go for darshan."
Pandey, a Brahmin face in the Samajwadi Party, had publically criticised the party's former national general secretary Swamy Prasad Maurya for his comments on Ram Charitamanas and Ram Lalla, whom Pandey referred to as "mentally deranged persons."
Interestingly, Maurya's departure from the Samajwadi Party barely ten days before Pandey's resignation marked the onset of internal upheaval within the party, further accentuating the growing discord within its ranks.
