Yogi Minister Dharampal Singh Hits Back at SP Over Cross-Voting Rumours After Rajya Sabha Nomination

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-10-06 14:40:00

Following the declaration of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate roster for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath cabinet minister Dharampal Singh has launched a sharp counterattack against Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. Dismissing ongoing political speculation surrounding potential cross-voting by ruling party legislators, Dharampal Singh stated on Monday, October 5, 2026, that the SP president routinely issues baseless statements devoid of substance. Emphasizing absolute internal discipline within the party ranks, the newly named candidate affirmed that every single BJP legislator stands firmly united behind the organization and will cast their vote strictly according to party directives.

Rebutting Akhilesh Yadav's Claims: Minister Rules Out Cross-Voting in UP Rajya Sabha Polls

The sharp political retort came in response to assertions by the Samajwadi Party leadership suggesting discontent among ruling legislators:

Dismissing Claims of Fractured Unity: Reacting strongly to Akhilesh Yadav’s claims that several BJP MLAs were in active communication with the Opposition, Dharampal Singh remarked: "Akhilesh Yadav always gives wrong statements. His words have no substance. Every single MLA of the Bharatiya Janata Party is with the party. No one is going anywhere and is standing firmly with the BJP and will continue to do so in the future."

Quashing Speculation: Dharampal Singh firmly dismissed the narrative of cross-voting in the Upper House polls, reassuring that all state legislators remain firmly rooted in the party's ideological framework and leadership structure.

Firm Organisational Footing: The veteran legislator underlined his own longstanding commitment to the BJP, reaffirming that the ruling alliance’s voting numbers remain completely intact ahead of polling day.

From Grassroots Worker to Upper House Nominee: Dharampal Singh Expresses Gratitude

Reacting to his inclusion in the eight-candidate slate, Dharampal Singh expressed sincere appreciation to the BJP central and state leadership:

Saluting Party Leadership: Expressing his gratitude, Dharampal Singh said: "I congratulate the organisation and senior leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party for this. I salute them. They have given an opportunity to an ordinary worker like me to reach the Rajya Sabha."

Pledge of Dedicated Service: Pledging to champion public causes in Parliament, the minister added: "I would like to assure that I will work with utmost honesty and integrity to raise the voice of the people and strengthen the party."

Transition from State Cabinet: Currently serving as a key cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led government and representing Bareilly's Amla assembly seat, his transition to the national legislature marks a significant organizational step in the regional political landscape.

Full List of 8 BJP Candidates and Election Commission Polling Schedule

The candidate announcement sets the stage for biennial elections across the northern states:

The Eight Nominated BJP Candidates: The BJP's official list for Uttar Pradesh comprises Dharampal Singh, Radhakant Ojha, Prakash Pal, Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Priyanka Singh Rawat, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan, and Shruti Gangwar.

Vacancies and Regional Footprint: The biennial electoral exercise covers 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh and one seat in Uttarakhand, alongside a by-poll for one seat in West Bengal, driven by the tenure completion of 11 members from UP and Uttarakhand in November 2026.

Important Nomination Timelines: According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the deadline for filing nomination papers is October 6, with scrutiny scheduled for October 7, and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures set for Friday, October 9.

Voting and Counting Timings: Polling will be held on October 16, 2026, between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, followed immediately by the counting of ballots from 5:00 PM onwards, with the entire election cycle officially wrapping up by October 19.

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