Team Clarion
LUCKNOW — In a strategic move ahead of the by-elections for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party has announced a list of 40 star campaigners, known as pracharaks, to bolster its electoral fortunes. The list includes prominent leaders, such as Shivpal Yadav and Azam Khan, who is currently incarcerated.
The party’s announcement comes after the Election Commission confirmed that voting for the nine assembly seats — Ghaziabad, Karhal, Kathari, Kher, Sisa Mayo, Kandarki, Phulpur, Mirapur, and Mejwan — will take place on November 13, with results expected on November 23. The nomination process concluded on Sunday, paving the way for an intense electoral campaign.
Prominent figures in the list include the party’s national president Akhilesh Yadav and senior leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav, who occupy the top positions. However, it is the inclusion of Azam Khan, placed third on the list despite his imprisonment in Sitapur Jail, that has drawn significant attention. Analysts suggest that this move serves to communicate solidarity and maintain Khan’s visibility in the party’s campaign efforts, despite his inability to actively participate.
“It’s essential for us to keep Azam Khan’s spirit alive in this campaign, even if he can’t be here physically,” said a party official who wished to remain anonymous. “His legacy and influence continue to resonate with our supporters.”
In total, the Samajwadi Party has included eight Muslim leaders among the star campaigners. The full list features not only party stalwarts but also emerging voices, such as Dimple Yadav, Jaya Bachchan, and Shivpal Singh Yadav, among others. The comprehensive roster aims to galvanise support across diverse demographics, reflecting the party’s commitment to inclusive representation.
Akhilesh Yadav’s strategy is seen as a response to the political significance of the upcoming by-elections, which are being likened to the high-stakes elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. With public sentiment shifting rapidly, the Samajwadi Party is keen to ensure its candidates resonate well with the electorate.
As campaign activities intensify, party leaders are gearing up for a robust electoral battle, with the star pracharaks set to play a pivotal role in rallying voter support in the days leading up to the elections.