Samajwadi Party Position in state and national politics

Samajwadi Party (literally, Socialist Party) is a powerful regional political party in India based in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh founded on October 4, 1992 . It describes itself as a democratic socialist party and is mainly representing the interests of a caste grouping called Other Backward

Classes(OBCs).

The Samajwadi Party was one of several parties that emerged when the Janata Dal (People's League), India's primary opposition party prior to theBharatiya Janata Party (BJP), fragmented into several regional parties. The Samajwadi Party is led by ageing former wrestler Mulayam Singh Yadav, a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and former defence minister of the country.

Electoral record

The Samajwadi Party is primarily based in Uttar Pradesh. Its support is largely based on OBCs (Other Backward Castes), particularly Mulayam Singh Yadav's own Yadav caste, and Muslims. It has contested Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections around the country, though its successes have been mainly in Uttar Pradesh. In the assembly election in Madhya Pradesh in 2003, the Samajwadi Party gained 7 seats, making it the third largest party in the state. When its candidate won the by-election of Lanji (Balaghat) in 2007, its total tally reached 8.

In the 15th Lok Sabha, it currently has 22 members, making it the third largest party in that house.

In 2005, former Karnataka Chief Minister Bangarappa resigned from the BJP to join the Samajwadi Party. He successfully held his Lok Sabha seat,Shimoga, on the Samajwadi ticket.

In the recently conducted 2007 Uttar Pradesh legislative elections, the SP won only 96 seats as compared to 146 in the previous election. As a result, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had to resign, with his rival Mayawati, leader of the BSP (which won a majority of 207 seats), sworn in as the Chief Minister.

Position in state and national politics

Although formerly aligned with the Indian National Congress (INC), Samajwadi formed an alliance with Rashtriya Janta Dal and Lok Janshakti Party of Bihar which is not at all acceptable to the INC.

The Samajwadi Party tries to maintain an equal distance between the INC and the BJP at a national level as the 3rd largest party in parliament.But its main rival in Uttar Pradesh is Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) which has emerged as a major political force in the state. The BSP primarily focuses on Dalit and backward caste votes. The Samajwadi Party continues to be the third largest party. In general elections, 2009, it bagged 23 seats coming behind the Indian National Congress with 206 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party with 116 seats.

In West Bengal , WBSP of Kiranmoy Nanda had merged with SP. As of now, SP has 1 MLA in West Bengal, 3 MLAs in Maharashtra, 2 MLAs in Bihar and one MLA (after 2008 polls) in Madhya Pradesh.

Kranti Rath Yatra & Cycle Rally

State president of Samajwadi party Akhilesh yadav started 3 days cycle march from noida to agra to protect unauthorized land acquisition by mayawati government. His first day journey was from noida to jewar and second day was tappal to mathura. During his visit he assured the farmers that no one can acquire their land without their consent and first right on land is of farmers.

Hundred of cycle and nos of youth travelled with him from Noida to agra.His cycle and kranti rath yatrs has set momentum of the election. Young member of parliament and President of Samajwadi party uttar pradesh Akhilesh yadav started the "Samajwadi Kranti Rath Yatra" from 12th of september 2011 from lucknow keeping in mind the upcoming election in 2012. He started the first phase from Lucknow to kanpur and second phase in bundelkhand kranti rath Yatra Program. Due to corruption in the state, SP gen next leader yatra was a crowd puller in bundelkhand region.

Assembly elections are due in State in april 2012. Keeping this in mind, Samajwadi party has stated the formal campaign earlier to other parties. Samajwadi party has decleared candidates in almost all the assembly seagments. While addressing huge crowd Akhilesh yadav told that this election is for development and against corruption.

Noted SP figures

• Mulayam Singh, Founder, first National President, former Union Defence Minister and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
• Brijbhushan Tiwari, vice-president
• Mohan Singh , General Secretary & Spokes Person

• Ram Gopal Yadav, General Secretary, Member of Parliament and Rajya Sabha party leader
• Kiranmoy Nanda, General Secretary, Former Minister for Fisheries, Government of West Bengal
• Akhilesh Yadav, Member of Parliament(Lok Sabha), State President of Uttar Pradesh, India
• Deepnarayan Singh Yadav (Deepak), National President Samajwadi Lohiyawahini and State President for Madhya Pradesh SP, MLA UP
• Vishambhar Prasad Nishad, General Secretary, MLA Uttar Pradesh Assembly and Fisherman CommunityLeader & party leader
• Shri Om Prakash Singh-State Gen Secretry of Uttar Pradesh,India
• Dr Sunilam,National Secretary,Ex MLA,EX Leader SP legislative Party M.P
• Nafees Ahmad , General Secretary of Ujan Sabah
• Haji Zameerullah Khan MLA of aligarh and Nager incharge of Aligarh
• Zoha Usmani Prisedent of Student Union and incharge
• Abu Asim Azmi, Member of legislative assembly from maharashtra, former State President of Maharashtra

• Shri Shailendra Kumar, Member of Parliament and Chif Whip Samajwadi Party in Lok Sabha

• Shri Drigesh Yadav-Vice President Mumbai

• Shri Brijesh Yadav-Gen Secretary Yuvjan Sabha Mumbai

• Shri Ashok P Yadav-Gen Secretary Yuvjan Sabha Mumbai