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UP Rajya Sabha Elections: BJP MLAs Cross-Voted for Rajeev Shukla 27 Years Ago, Sushma Swaraj's Breath Held.
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News18•01-10-2026, 11:42
UP Rajya Sabha Elections: BJP MLAs Cross-Voted for Rajeev Shukla 27 Years Ago, Sushma Swaraj's Breath Held.
- •Akhilesh Yadav has intensified the political scene by fielding 11 candidates for 10 Rajya Sabha seats in UP, making cross-voting inevitable.
- •Akhilesh Yadav claims several BJP MLAs are in contact with him and he will ensure the victory of his third candidate.
- •According to senior journalist Pradeep Singh, BJP MLAs cross-voted on a large scale for Rajeev Shukla in 2000.
- •Rajeev Shukla managed to persuade MLAs from SP, BSP, Congress, and BJP to vote in his favor.
- •Due to cross-voting, Sushma Swaraj barely won the Rajya Sabha election, while Rajeev Shukla received the highest 51 first preference votes.
Key Questions Answered
Based on the current state assembly numbers for the 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, eight seats are expected to go to the BJP and two are expected to go to the Samajwadi Party.
Akhilesh Yadav nominated Ramgopal Yadav, Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, and announced a third candidate, creating 11 candidates for 10 available seats, which makes cross-voting inevitable as extra votes are needed.
During a past Rajya Sabha election, BJP fielded Sushma Swaraj while Rajeev Shukla was fielded by Loktantrik Congress. Despite party whips, widespread cross-voting from SP, BSP, and other parties helped Rajeev Shukla secure 51 first-preference votes while Sushma Swaraj barely won.
