Samajwadi Party Expels Three MLAs for ‘Public-Antagonistic’ Acts: What Triggered the Final Axe?

Abhay Singh, Rakesh Pratap Singh, and Manoj Kumar Pandey removed after months of tension, with SP cracking down on ideological defiance.

Amit Singh June 23, 2025Last Updated: June 23, 2025

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Reviewed & Published by HH News Desk

Lucknow, June 23: In a move that’s been simmering for months but finally boiled over on Monday, the Samajwadi Party cracked the whip and expelled three of its own sitting MLAs—Abhay Singh, Rakesh Pratap Singh, and Manoj Kumar Pandey. The charge? Anti-party behavior that’s allegedly crossed too many red lines, ideologically and politically.

A Long Rope, Finally Cut Short

The language in the statement was sharp, almost surgical. The three MLAs, it said, had been given time—an “Anumod-Avadhi” or a probationary window—to mend their ways. That window is now closed. The party, once willing to look the other way, has drawn its line in the sand.

This wasn’t just about internal bickering. The accusations weren’t vague. The statement claimed the trio had been aligning with “communal and negative political ideologies”—a serious charge, especially in the heat of Uttar Pradesh’s volatile political air.

Their behavior, the party says, ran counter to everything the SP claims to stand for: secularism, social justice, inclusivity. On top of that, they were branded as anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-youth, and, perhaps most damning of all in this political climate, anti-reservation. In the SP’s worldview, that’s the political equivalent of lighting a match in a dry forest.

The Ghost of the Rajya Sabha Cross-Vote

This isn’t coming out of nowhere. These same three MLAs were among those accused of cross-voting in last year’s Rajya Sabha elections, allegedly helping the BJP sneak through unexpected wins. Back then, the SP cried betrayal but didn’t act. The whip was flouted. The damage was done. Still, the leadership held off on outright punishment.

In hindsight, the party’s tolerance now looks more like a waiting game—testing loyalties, seeing if bridges could be rebuilt. Clearly, they couldn’t.

As Hindustan Times reported last year, the party was mulling disqualification proceedings. But months passed, and the rebels stayed where they were. No public fallout. No expulsion. Until today.

Why Now?

The timing is interesting. There’s no major election around the corner. No obvious scandal in the news. So why today?

Party insiders say the leadership had enough. The accused MLAs were apparently continuing to move further from the party’s ideological core. Whether it was subtle endorsements, backroom alignments, or just political body language, something finally tipped the scale.

The SP’s leadership, with Akhilesh Yadav at the helm, may be trying to send a clear message to rank-and-file workers: internal sabotage won’t be tolerated. Especially not when the enemy is clearly identified as the BJP.

Political Ripples in Key Constituencies

The three expelled legislators aren’t nobodies. Abhay Singh represents Goshainganj in the politically sensitive Ayodhya district. Rakesh Pratap Singh hails from Gauriganj in Amethi, and Manoj Kumar Pandey serves Unchahar in Raebareli—Congress-adjacent turf that SP has tried to hold onto over the years.

Their absence from the party fold will matter locally. These are not ceremonial seats. Voters in these regions tend to stick with personalities more than party labels. And if these MLAs decide to switch sides—or run as independents—there could be messy consequences in upcoming bypolls.

More so, their exits could open a door for the BJP, which has been pushing hard into these traditional Opposition strongholds.

What the Party Is Really Saying

Beyond the bureaucratic language, the subtext here is pretty blunt. The SP is saying: You cross us, you lose us. They’ve held off for over a year, watched quietly while some of their own hobnobbed with ideological opponents, and now they’re done waiting.

A section of the official statement reads like a final warning to others still on the fence. It promises “strict consequences” for any future behavior deemed “public-antagonistic.” Translation? Stay in line or step aside.

The SP, once infamous for tolerating its internal chaos, appears to be tightening its belt.

What Happens Next?

Now comes the procedural stuff. The party could seek disqualification of these MLAs through the Assembly Speaker. If that happens, by-elections are inevitable. And that opens a whole new political front in already turbulent districts.

No official response yet from any of the three expelled MLAs. Knowing their past record, a press conference—or at least a cryptic tweet—is probably not far off. The bigger question is whether they’ll realign themselves with other parties. The BJP, known to welcome rebel leaders with open arms, could be watching closely.

A Calculated Gamble or a Necessary Purge?

It’s too early to say whether this move will strengthen the SP internally or just trigger more quiet dissent. What’s clear is that the party’s leadership is in no mood to play nice anymore. Ideological disloyalty—especially any whiff of communal proximity—is now seen as a red flag, not a grey area.

For a party trying to rebuild its narrative ahead of the 2027 state elections, this might be a necessary house-cleaning. Painful, sure. But maybe overdue.

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Author Profile

Amit Singh

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Amit Singh is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, where he covers the intricate dynamics of Indian politics and global geopolitical shifts. Currently pursuing his studies at Delhi University, Amit brings a keen analytical mind and a passion for factual reporting to his daily coverage, providing readers with well-researched insights into the forces shaping national and international affairs.