Samajwadi Party fields BJP rebels, reshuffles candidates for two UP MLC seats

The Samajwadi Party (SP) announced a last‑minute change in its lineup for two seats of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, replacing its original nominees with senior members who have previously been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).\n\nThe move comes ahead of the council elections scheduled for October 23, when voters in five graduates’ constituencies and six teachers’ constituencies will cast their ballots, with results to be counted on October 27.\n\nParty sources said the decision aims to broaden SP’s appeal among educated electorates and to counter the BJP’s influence in the council, while the newly‑fielded candidates are expected to campaign on issues such as education quality and employment.\n\nOpposition leaders have criticised the reshuffle as opportunistic, but SP officials maintain that the choice reflects ground realities and the need for a competitive slate.