Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has criticised Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav over the party’s Rajya Sabha candidate choices. She alleged that the SP’s actions do not match its claims of supporting PDA — Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak communities.The remarks come after the SP named Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election from Uttar Pradesh. The nominations were filed on September 30. Key HighlightsMayawati criticised Akhilesh Yadav over the SP’s Rajya Sabha candidates.She accused the SP of nepotism and money-driven politics.SP has named Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Nathwani for the Rajya Sabha polls.Voting for 10 Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha seats is scheduled for October 16. What did Mayawati say?Mayawati questioned the SP’s claim of representing backward classes, Dalits and minorities. She said the party’s recent decisions should be seen in the context of its PDA politics.She also accused the SP of following family-based politics. Her remarks came after the party selected Ram Gopal Yadav as one of its Rajya Sabha candidates.Ram Gopal Yadav is a senior SP leader and a close family member of Akhilesh Yadav. His selection was expected as he has represented the party in the Rajya Sabha for many years.Mayawati also raised questions about the selection of Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani.Nathwani is a corporate executive and sports administrator. He is a senior executive at Reliance Industries. His father, Parimal Nathwani, is an industrialist and a Rajya Sabha member. What is the PDA issue?PDA is a political term used by the SP for Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak communities.The SP has used PDA as an important part of its political message. The party has said that these groups should have a stronger role in politics and government.Mayawati has questioned whether the SP’s Rajya Sabha choices reflect that message.Her criticism is part of the wider political debate in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.Who are the SP’s Rajya Sabha candidates?The SP announced Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani as its candidates on September 30.Both candidates filed their nomination papers in Lucknow in the presence of Akhilesh Yadav and other party leaders. The choice of Nathwani attracted attention because of his corporate background. He is associated with Reliance Industries and also has links with sports administration. His nomination was described as a surprise choice in several reports. The SP has not yet announced a third candidate, according to reports published on October 2. The question of a third candidate has become an important part of the Rajya Sabha contest in Uttar Pradesh.When will the Rajya Sabha election take place?The Election Commission has scheduled the Rajya Sabha election for October 16, 2026.There are 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh in the election. One more seat from Uttarakhand is also part of the wider election process. The result will depend on the strength of political parties in the state Assembly and the voting by elected legislators.The SP currently has two candidates in the race. Reports say the party is looking at its numbers before deciding whether to field another candidate. What is the political response?The SP’s candidate selection has drawn criticism from political rivals.Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar had also questioned the SP’s PDA claim after the candidate announcement. He asked whether the party’s candidates would represent the backward classes, Dalits and minorities. Mayawati’s latest remarks add another voice to the criticism of the SP’s candidate choices.The SP has not accepted the allegations made by its political rivals as a description of its policy or candidate selection. The party’s Rajya Sabha nominations are part of the ongoing political contest in Uttar Pradesh.With the October 16 Rajya Sabha election approaching, the focus is now on the final candidates, party numbers and voting strategy in the state.
