Akhilesh Yadav to Contest 2024 Lok Sabha Election from UP’s Kannauj

Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has announced his decision to contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Kannauj constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

This confirmation comes following speculations surrounding his return to the electoral arena. The Samajwadi Party made the announcement via its official X account on Wednesday evening.

माननीय राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष श्री अखिलेश यादव जी कल अपराह्न 12 बजे कन्नौज लोकसभा से समाजवादी पार्टी के प्रत्याशी के रूप में नामांकन पत्र दाखिल करेंगे।

— Samajwadi Party (@samajwadiparty) April 24, 2024

Akhilesh Yadav, who previously represented Kannauj in the Lok Sabha, will submit his nomination papers at noon tomorrow, according to the SP’s statement. The decision to field Yadav from Kannauj was reportedly finalised after discussions within the party, including with senior leader Ram Gopal Yadav.

This move marks Akhilesh Yadav’s return to the parliamentary battleground after his earlier decision not to contest this election cycle.

Initially, SP leader Tej Pratap Singh Yadav was named as the candidate for Kannauj. However, amidst purported dissatisfaction among party workers, Akhilesh Yadav decided to step in and contest from the family bastion.

Kannauj, historically a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party, was won by the BJP in the 2019 general elections. However, the SP aims to reclaim this seat, which has previously been represented by Akhilesh Yadav’s family members, including his wife and himself.

The constituency is scheduled to vote in the fourth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on May 13th.