CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: Akhilesh won’t contest UP polls, says he will directly take oath as Chief Minister
CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies:
A statement by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav that he will not contest the 2027 Assembly election has triggered fresh discussion in Uttar Pradesh politics. During a visit to Varanasi, he clearly indicated that he would not be a candidate from any seat in the upcoming Assembly election. In a lighter vein, he said, “I become Chief Minister when I do not contest elections. Therefore, I will do what is auspicious for me.” Akhilesh also said that in 2012 he became Chief Minister while he was a Lok Sabha MP, and this time too he would take oath as Chief Minister while remaining a Lok Sabha member.
In fact, there has been a precedent in Uttar Pradesh politics of becoming Chief Minister without contesting an Assembly election. Akhilesh Yadav was the Lok Sabha MP from Kannauj in 2012. After the Samajwadi Party secured a majority in the Assembly election, he was made Chief Minister. Later, he became a member of the Legislative Council. Similarly, Mayawati became Chief Minister in 1995 while she was a Rajya Sabha MP. After securing a full majority in 2007, she chose the Legislative Council route instead of contesting an Assembly bypoll.
Mulayam Singh Yadav became Chief Minister in 2003 while he was a Lok Sabha MP. However, he later contested the bypoll from the Gunnaur Assembly seat and won. Yogi Adityanath also became Chief Minister in 2017 while he was a Lok Sabha MP from Gorakhpur. Later, he became a member of the Legislative Council and contested the Assembly election from the Gorakhpur City seat in 2022.
Akhilesh Yadav’s latest statement is being seen as an indication that he may repeat his 2012 strategy. Instead of contesting from one Assembly seat, he may focus on campaigning for the party across the state and strengthening the organisation. However, he has also presented his decision in terms of auspiciousness rather than political strategy.
Under the constitutional arrangement, if a person who becomes Chief Minister is not a member of the state legislature, it is mandatory for that person to become a member of the Assembly or the Legislative Council within six months of assuming office.
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