Three Rebel SP MLAs Set to Join BJP in Amethi Ahead of UP Elections 2027

Amethi, Uttar Pradesh: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing to induct three rebel Samajwadi Party (SP) legislators at a programme in Gauriganj on Wednesday, October 14, as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The three legislators are Rakesh Pratap Singh, who represents Gauriganj in Amethi; Abhay Singh, the MLA from Gosainganj in Ayodhya district; and Vinod Chaturvedi, who represents Kalpi in Jalaun district. Former Union minister Smriti Irani and Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary are expected to attend the induction ceremony, according to reports by Hindustan Times and The Times of India.

The move could strengthen the BJP's political outreach in several constituencies ahead of the next Assembly elections, while presenting a setback for the Samajwadi Party, which has already expelled the three legislators.

Rakesh Pratap Singh's differences with the Samajwadi Party

Rakesh Pratap Singh's political differences with the SP widened over several years. He won the Gauriganj Assembly seat in 2012, 2017 and 2022. His relationship with the party leadership deteriorated further after he voted in favour of BJP candidates in the 2024 Rajya Sabha elections.

The SP expelled him in June 2025, after which he remained an unattached member of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, according to Hindustan Times.

Singh also publicly opposed controversial remarks about religious texts, including the Ramcharitmanas, made by former SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya. He subsequently became increasingly vocal in his support for the BJP and its political positions.

Singh has described his decision to join the BJP as a commitment to the nation and Lord Ram. His move marks the formalisation of a political shift that had become increasingly apparent through his actions and public statements.

Abhay Singh and Vinod Chaturvedi also switching sides

Abhay Singh, the MLA from Gosainganj in Ayodhya, was first elected in 2012 and returned to the Assembly in 2022. His differences with the SP leadership deepened after he voted in favour of BJP candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Vinod Chaturvedi, who represents Kalpi in Jalaun district, is also expected to join the BJP. He won the Assembly seat in 2007 and again in 2022. He too voted in favour of BJP candidates during the Rajya Sabha elections, according to The Times of India.

Their induction would bring three legislators with established electoral backgrounds into the BJP's political fold, potentially helping the party expand its influence across Awadh and Bundelkhand.

Smriti Irani's presence adds significance to the event

Former Union minister Smriti Irani is expected to attend the programme alongside BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary. State ministers Dara Singh Chauhan and Pratibha Shukla are also expected to be present, according to BJP district president Sudhanshu Shukla, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The event is also significant for Irani, who previously represented Amethi in Parliament. Her participation in a high-profile political programme in the district comes as the BJP prepares for the next round of electoral contests in Uttar Pradesh.

The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place near Rakesh Pratap Singh's residence on the Gauriganj–Jagdishpur road. Reports indicate that organisers have arranged a large stage and a covered, waterproof venue to accommodate supporters and local representatives.

What does the move mean for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections?

The BJP's decision to induct the three legislators reflects its broader effort to strengthen its organisation and attract leaders who already have local electoral support.

For the SP, the development underlines the challenges of retaining leaders who have publicly disagreed with the party leadership. For the BJP, the immediate political advantage could be greater visibility and stronger connections in the constituencies represented by the incoming legislators.

However, joining the BJP does not automatically guarantee a party ticket in the 2027 Assembly elections. Candidate selection, local organisational dynamics and voter sentiment will ultimately determine the electoral consequences of the switch.

As of October 14, 2026, the three leaders' induction was scheduled for Wednesday. The formal completion of the joining process should be confirmed through an official BJP announcement or coverage of the completed ceremony.