LUCKNOW: In a significant development in Uttar Pradesh politics, Naseemuddin Siddiqui joins SP, marking another realignment ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The former close aide of Mayawati and a four-time minister in her cabinet formally entered the Samajwadi Party on Sunday. He was inducted at the party headquarters in the presence of national president Akhilesh Yadav.
Welcoming the new entrants, Akhilesh termed the move a “major” boost for the party and said it would strengthen the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) coalition’s campaign. He remarked that ties between the Bahujan base and the Samajwadi cadre were growing stronger.
Siddiqui, 66, had been associated with the Bahujan Samaj Party since its early years and was regarded as a prominent Muslim face during the party’s 2007–2012 tenure in power. After parting ways with the BSP, he joined the Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but recently resigned, alleging marginalisation within the organisation.
Addressing party workers, Siddiqui expressed confidence in Akhilesh’s leadership and emphasised collective effort to consolidate the party’s position. His wife and several senior leaders also took membership during the event.
Among those who switched sides were former Pratapgarh MLA Rajkumar, ex-Deoria legislator Dinanath Kushwaha, former minister Anees Ahmed alias Phool Babu, and Danish Khan. Several women leaders, including Rachna Pal, Husna Siddiqui, Poonam Pal and Alka, were also inducted.
The move has drawn attention in political circles as both the Congress and SP are constituents of the INDIA bloc in the state. Despite reported attempts by Congress leaders to persuade Siddiqui to reconsider, he proceeded with the transition.
A native of Banda district, Siddiqui first entered the Assembly in 1991 and played a central role in BSP’s rise before shifting allegiances amid the party’s electoral decline. His latest move signals continued churn within Uttar Pradesh’s opposition landscape as parties recalibrate ahead of the next state contest.