Is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Heading To SP? Signals, Praise For Akhilesh Yadav Fuel Buzz

Last Updated:May 01, 2026, 17:47 IST

Praise for Akhilesh Yadav, internal BJP discontent and backchannel talks have intensified buzz around Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s possible move to the Samajwadi Party.

Senior BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has once again stirred intense speculation, with growing buzz that he could cross over to the Samajwadi Party ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

While there has been no official confirmation, recent remarks, political signalling, and reported backchannel conversations suggest that discussions between Singh and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav may be approaching a decisive stage.

The speculation gained fresh momentum after Singh publicly praised Yadav for visiting BJP MLA Anupama Jaiswal at a private hospital in Lucknow. Yadav’s gesture—reaching out to a political opponent during a difficult time—was described by Singh as an example of political maturity and leadership. He noted that after Yadav’s visit, several BJP leaders also followed, suggesting that the SP leader had set a precedent.

Yadav had gone to meet Jaiswal after she suffered burn injuries during a protest. Anupama Jaiswal, BJP MLA from Bahraich, had sustained burn injuries while trying to set Yadav’s effigy on fire during a protest over the women’s reservation issue.

His visit drew attention not just for its humanitarian aspect but also for the political message it conveyed in a deeply polarised environment.

Singh’s repeated praise of Yadav in recent months has added weight to the theory that he may be preparing for a shift. At the same time, Singh has voiced dissatisfaction within the BJP. Speaking at a recent public event, he said that many senior leaders had been sidelined as the party expanded, and that new entrants often view old party workers as rivals rather than colleagues. These remarks are being seen as a subtle critique of the party’s internal structure.

His discontent appears to stem partly from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when he was denied a ticket and replaced by his son. In a podcast last year, Singh claimed that he was removed not by public sentiment but by a “conspiracy", and asserted that he would return to active electoral politics. He also acknowledged Yadav’s support during a period when he faced serious allegations, noting that the SP leadership did not escalate the issue politically.

Singh said that if anyone believed he had become a “burden", they should say so openly, and he would demonstrate his relevance in the 2027 Assembly and 2029 general elections. The remark has been widely read as both a challenge and a signal that he is keeping his options open.

Sources indicate that any potential move is likely to hinge on seat-sharing and political influence in eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly in districts such as Gonda, Balrampur, and Ayodhya. Singh is believed to be seeking a role in candidate selection across 20 to 25 assembly constituencies, a demand that could complicate negotiations with the SP leadership.

UP’s political observers, however, said that Singh had joined the SP in 2008 after being expelled from the BJP and went on to win the 2009 Lok Sabha election on an SP ticket. His long-standing association with the late Mulayam Singh Yadav and his continued rapport with Akhilesh Yadav add depth to the current developments. Shashikant Pandey, head of the Department of Political Science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, said that Singh’s elder son is currently an MLA, while his younger son serves as a Member of Parliament.

“A full shift to the SP could strengthen his bargaining position but may also lead to complications, including the possible loss of parliamentary membership for his son. A partial move, on the other hand, could create confusion among his political base," said Pandey.

Pandey said that, for Yadav, the situation requires careful consideration. Bringing Singh into the party could strengthen the SP’s position in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly among certain caste groups. “Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh continues to hold significant influence in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, especially in districts like Gonda, Balrampur, and Bahraich.

If he joins the Samajwadi Party, it could strengthen the party’s position among certain dominant caste groups. However, the Samajwadi Party will have to balance this with its broader social coalition strategy. At the same time, there are chances of political risks, given Singh’s controversial background and the SP’s broader effort to build a coalition of backward classes, Dalits, and minorities," pointed out Pandey.

On the entire speculation, Yadav responded cautiously. When asked about Singh’s possible entry into the SP, he said, “People within the BJP, especially from backward, Dalit, and minority communities, are feeling hurt and humiliated and want to leave. As far as the former MP and a leader from Gonda who has been associated with us in the past is concerned, only he can say what direction politics will take."

The statement, however, neither confirms nor denies the possibility but leaves room for interpretation. For now, Singh maintains that he remains with the BJP, even as he acknowledges receiving offers from other parties in the past. The SP has also refrained from making any official move, with party leaders suggesting that such speculation can sometimes be used to increase bargaining power within one’s own party.

Whether this is a genuine prelude to a political shift or a strategic move to assert relevance within the BJP remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is back in the spotlight, and this time the focus is firmly on his next political move.

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