Rajiv Channa joins Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh

Prominent Moradabad leader Rajiv Channa has joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), marking a significant shift in local politics ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Channa, who previously served as an MLA for the Moradabad West constituency in 2007 under the BJP banner and contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections with the BSP, was formally inducted into the SP by party president Akhilesh Yadav. Alongside Channa, Manmohan Saini has also joined the party.

Channa's move has intensified speculation regarding the Samajwadi Party's candidate selection for the Moradabad Nagar assembly seat. While the party has not officially confirmed its candidate, local political discussions suggest Channa is a strong contender for the seat due to his extensive political experience in the region.

In response to shifting political dynamics, Uttar Pradesh government ministers have criticized the Samajwadi Party. Ministers Rajni Tiwari, Dayashankar Singh, and Danish Azad Ansari defended the current administration, citing progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They emphasized the effectiveness of the 'double engine' government in driving development and maintaining law and order.