Stories
UP Elections 2027: Grassroots Jat leader Harbir Malik leaves BJP after 30 years to join Samajwadi Party.
- •Prominent grassroots Jat leader Harbir Malik left the BJP and joined the Samajwadi Party ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
- •Harbir Malik served the BJP for 30 years and held important positions including state vice president of the Youth Wing and regional vice president.
- •Malik was reportedly disappointed after being denied assembly tickets and the district president post, followed by a show-cause notice for alleged anti-party activities.
- •Following his entry into the Samajwadi Party in the presence of Akhilesh Yadav, speculations are rife that he might contest from the Shamli assembly seat.
- •The Samajwadi Party aims to strengthen its grip on Jat votes in western Uttar Pradesh after RLD joined the NDA.
Key Questions Answered
Harbir Malik left the BJP due to deep disappointment after being denied assembly tickets for Shamli and Thana Bhawan since 2022 and being passed over for the district president post. His frustration peaked when the newly appointed district president issued him a show-cause notice for alleged anti-party activities, prompting him to join Akhilesh Yadav's party on October 16.
Harbir Malik dedicated 30 years to the BJP, serving as an important member of the state executive committee. He also held key positions including regional vice president and state vice president of the party's Youth Wing (Yuva Morcha) in western Uttar Pradesh.
Following his entry into the Samajwadi Party, discussions began regarding Harbir Malik potentially contesting the 2027 assembly elections as a candidate from the Shamli seat. By recruiting a prominent grassroots Jat leader, the SP aims to offset the RLD's alliance with the NDA and capitalize on growing resentment among Jat leaders against the BJP.
