In a significant blow to the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, several crucial allies have announced their departure from the party led by Akhilesh Yadav, signaling a major upheaval in the states political landscape ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This exodus of allies poses a formidable challenge to the main opposition party in Uttar Pradesh, leaving it grappling with uncertainties and complexities as it navigates the road to electoral success. The departure of key allies commenced approximately a year ago, as political parties geared up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The trend gained momentum with the exit of the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and subsequently the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). The latest blow came from Apna Dal (Kameravadi), a staunch advocate of the SPs political alliance strategy, which has opted to contest the elections independently, further complicating matters for the beleaguered party. The geographical spread of these erstwhile allies, each wielding significant influence in different regions of the state, from the east to the west, adds to the challenge for the SP. This departure not only dilutes the SPs support base but also undermines its ability to secure victories in diverse constituencies across Uttar Pradesh. Presently, the SP finds itself with only the Congress as a steadfast ally for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While an SP-Congress alliance was stitched in 2017, it failed to yield substantial results. All eyes are now on Akhilesh Yadav as he navigates the path for success in 2024 with only Congress support, a stark contrast to the broad coalition he had envisioned. The recent history of electoral experiments by the SP reveals a mixed bag of outcomes. In 2014, contesting alone, the party managed to secure five seats, all won by family members. However, the subsequent alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal in 2019 failed to significantly improve the partys fortunes, although BSP secured 10 seats in the Lok Sabha. In the aftermath of the 2019 elections, the SP realigned its political strategy, forging new alliances and welcoming defectors from other parties. This strategy bore fruit in the 2022 UP assembly elections in which the party witnessed a substantial increase in both seats and vote share. However, the recent departure of key allies threatens to undermine these gains, putting the SPs electoral prospects in jeopardy once again. As the SP grapples with the fallout from the departure of its allies, the road to the 2024 elections appears increasingly uncertain. With the political landscape in flux and alliances shifting, the SP finds itself confronting a formidable test of its resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. Only time will tell how effectively the party can overcome these challenges and regain its footing in Uttar Pradeshs fiercely contested political arena.   Leaders who deserted Samajwadi Party Here are the key leaders who have left the SP and their subsequent political moves. 1. Om Prakash Rajbhar (SBSP): After the assembly elections, Rajbhar parted ways with the SP and joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In a strategic move to bolster support from the Rajbhar community, the Bharatiya Janata Party (not only appointed Om Prakash Rajbhar as a minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet but also entrusted him with a significant department, the Panchayati Raj. 2. Jayant Chaudhary (RLD): The Rashtriya Lok Dal, once considered SPs strongest ally, has also parted ways with the party. This departure, particularly impactful in western Uttar Pradesh, is perceived as a major setback for the SP in the region. The RLD has now aligned with the NDA. Furthermore, an RLD MLA has joined the Yogi Adityanath cabinet. 3. Krishna Patel (Apna Dal-Kamerawadi): Krishna Patels elder daughter, Pallavi Patel, has been elected as an MLA on the Samajwadi Party symbol. However, Pallavi Patel has shown signs of dissent by openly challenging its selection of candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections. The Apna Dal (K) has announced its intention to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Phulpur, Mirzapur and Kaushambi reserved seats, further weakening the SP. 4. Dara Singh Chauhan: Considered a leader of the Noniya community, Dara Singh Chauhan left the Samajwadi Party and returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was elected as an MLC and subsequently became a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government. 5. Swami Prasad Maurya (Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party): After serving as the national general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, Swami Prasad Maurya departed from the party and relinquished his membership of the UP Legislative Council. He has now founded a new political entity, the Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party, advocating for the interests of backwards, Dalits and minority communities.   SPs performance: 2014 Lok Sabha Elections: 5 seats 2019 Lok Sabha Elections: 5 seats 2017 assembly elections: 47 seats 2022 assembly elections: 111 seats

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