Samajwadi Party chief whip in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Kamal Akhtar, resigned from the post on Tuesday, according to party sources. Akhtar had been appointed to the position after the previous chief whip, Manoj Pandey, resigned in 2024 following his decision to support the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections.
Resignation Details
Kamal Akhtar submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The resignation comes amid ongoing political realignments within the Samajwadi Party. Akhtar's tenure as chief whip lasted less than two years, having taken over after Manoj Pandey's resignation in 2024.
Background: Manoj Pandey's Resignation
Manoj Pandey, who previously held the position, resigned as chief whip in 2024 after he sided with the BJP candidate during the Rajya Sabha polls. This move was seen as a significant breach of party discipline. Pandey's action led to his removal from the post, and Kamal Akhtar was subsequently appointed as the new chief whip.
Impact on Samajwadi Party
The resignation of Kamal Akhtar is a fresh setback for the Samajwadi Party in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The party has been facing internal challenges and defections. Akhtar's decision to step down may further affect the party's coordination and legislative strategy. According to political analysts, the Samajwadi Party will need to quickly appoint a successor to maintain its legislative agenda.
Official Statements
Neither Kamal Akhtar nor the Samajwadi Party leadership has issued an official statement regarding the reasons for the resignation. However, sources within the party indicated that Akhtar cited personal reasons for stepping down. The party is expected to announce a new chief whip in the coming days.
