Uttar Pradesh minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar has taken a swipe at the Samajwadi Party (SP) following its victory in the Varanasi teachers’ constituency in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections. Reacting to the result, Rajbhar questioned the significance of the win, asking, “What great feat have they achieved?” He described the outcome as the mandate of educated voters, arguing that the electorate in teachers’ constituency elections differs from the general voting population. SP candidate Lal Bihari Yadav defeated BJP candidate Pramod Mishra to secure the seat. Rajbhar welcomed the mandate but maintained that the result should not automatically be interpreted as an indication of the political situation ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Rajbhar Rejects ‘Semi-Final’ Tag for 2027 Elections
When asked whether the MLC elections represented a semi-final ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls, Rajbhar dismissed the comparison. He argued that elections involving a limited electorate, such as teachers’ constituencies, cannot be directly compared with general elections in which the wider electorate participates. He suggested that voters who take part in these specialised elections may not necessarily vote in the same way during Assembly polls. His remarks came amid political discussions over the implications of the Legislative Council results for the upcoming state elections. The SP’s victory in Varanasi has provided the party with a political talking point, while Rajbhar has cautioned against drawing broader conclusions from the outcome.

Congress and Sonia Gandhi’s Upcoming Book Also Targeted
Rajbhar also criticised the Congress party while commenting on a social media post by Sonia Gandhi about her forthcoming book, Belonging: A Journey of Love. Gandhi had written on X that, after decades of others telling her story, it was now her turn to share her own account. The book is scheduled for publication on November 10, according to the report. Reacting to the announcement, Rajbhar alleged that Congress had failed to protect the interests of backward communities and Muslims during its decades in power. He also said that anyone was entitled to write and publish a book. His remarks added another dimension to his criticism of the Congress leadership.

Rajbhar Attacks Rahul Gandhi Over Tata Controversy
The SBSP chief also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning the controversy involving Tata Sons. Gandhi had alleged that Tata was being damaged for political reasons and argued that Indian businesses should not be treated as the personal property of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Responding to Gandhi, Rajbhar accused him of repeatedly criticising India and its constitutional institutions. He further claimed that people no longer took his statements seriously. The exchange adds to the ongoing political confrontation between leaders of the ruling alliance and the Congress over business affairs, governance and the functioning of institutions.