Former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Dharmendra Kashyap has left the party and joined the Samajwadi Party ahead of the Uttar Pradesh election scheduled for 2027. He met SP president Akhilesh Yadav at the party office in Lucknow on Sunday, with his daughter also present.

The meeting has intensified political discussion in Uttar Pradesh, particularly around the possibility of Kashyap's daughter contesting the election as an SP candidate. The report says her candidature is widely being viewed as likely, but an official ticket has not yet been announced.

Akhilesh Yadav shares meeting details

Akhilesh Yadav shared graphs from the meeting on his X account. He described it as a friendly meeting and said discussions were held with Dharmendra Kashyap on joint efforts to make the “PDA movement” more capable, stronger and more active.

In , Yadav said the PDA could provide dignity and representation to people who are suffering, distressed or insulted. The meeting therefore carried both a political and organisational message for the Samajwadi Party.

Kashyap's move comes after speculation about his political future. Following the release of the BJP's list for Rajya Sabha members, he had ed the words “Tata bye-bye” on social media. That message led to discussion that he might leave the BJP. His meeting with Yadav and subsequent entry into the SP have now clarified that development.

Kashyap's electoral record

Dharmendra Kashyap represented the Aonla Lok Sabha constituency after winning elections on a BJP ticket in 2014 and 2019. He was defeated in 2024.

His name had also been discussed in connection with the members being sent to the Rajya Sabha. However, his name did not appear in the list released by the BJP. The report links that development with the speculation that preceded his departure from the party.

The next significant development will be the Samajwadi Party's candidate list. The report says the list may be released soon, and that announcement will indicate whether Kashyap's daughter receives an SP ticket.

Daughter's candidature remains unconfirmed

Political discussions have treated the possibility of Kashyap's daughter contesting on an SP ticket as nearly settled. The available report, however, presents this as speculation rather than a formal announcement.

Until the Samajwadi Party publishes its candidate list, her electoral participation remains unconfirmed. Kashyap's party switch is confirmed through his meeting with Akhilesh Yadav and his reported entry into the SP, while the candidate decision is still awaited.

Conclusion

Dharmendra Kashyap's move from the BJP to the Samajwadi Party has become a significant pre-election development in Uttar Pradesh. Attention now centres on the SP's candidate list and whether it names his daughter as a candidate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is Dharmendra Kashyap?

Dharmendra Kashyap is a former BJP MP who represented the Aonla Lok Sabha constituency.

Q. When did Dharmendra Kashyap win from Aonla?

He won the Lok Sabha election from Aonla on a BJP ticket in 2014 and 2019.

Q. When did Kashyap join the Samajwadi Party?

He joined the Samajwadi Party after meeting Akhilesh Yadav at the SP office in Lucknow on Sunday.

Q. Was Kashyap's daughter present at the meeting?

Yes. His daughter was present during his meeting with Akhilesh Yadav.

Q. Will Kashyap's daughter contest on an SP ticket?

The report says political discussions consider her candidature likely, but no official ticket has been confirmed.

Q. What did Akhilesh Yadav say about the meeting?

Yadav said the meeting involved discussions on joint efforts to strengthen and activate the PDA movement.

Q. Did Kashyap win the 2024 election?

No. The report says he was defeated in 2024.

Q. What is the next expected development?

The Samajwadi Party's candidate list is expected to clarify whether Kashyap's daughter receives a ticket.