In a strategic realignment in western Uttar Pradesh, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha parliamentarian Dharmendra Kashyap, along with his daughter Kirti Kashyap, officially joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during an induction ceremony in Lucknow.
Kashyap previously represented the Aonla parliamentary constituency in Bareilly district. According to The Hindu's Lucknow bureau, the switch concluded weeks of speculation that began after Kashyap formally resigned from the BJP and held a preliminary meeting with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on October 11.
Strategic Boost for the 'PDA' Movement
Welcoming Kashyap and his daughter into the party fold, SP national president Akhilesh Yadav described the induction as a vital step forward for the party's broader backward-class outreach under the "PDA" (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) banner.
"The joining of former MP Shri Dharmendra Kashyap and his daughter, Ms. Kirti Kashyap, in the 'PDA Movement' has multiplied our strength in Bareilly, Rohilkhand, and throughout Uttar Pradesh," Yadav stated. "With our promise of 'Respect for all, place for all', we will move forward taking everyone along. Today is a special day in the sense that those who once fought elections face to face have today forgotten all competition and have united hand in hand for the larger objectives of the PDA."
As an influential leader from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, Kashyap brings considerable organizational and social sway across Bareilly district and adjoining regional seats in the Rohilkhand belt.
Analysis Confirmed Timeline — verified documentary press visual.
Allegations Against State Governance
Addressing party workers after his formal induction, Kashyap criticized the incumbent administration's governance, arguing that marginalized populations are facing systematic administrative pressure.
"Bulldozers are used against marginalised social groups under the BJP government," Kashyap stated, alleging that the law-and-order framework in the state had weakened. "I assure that injustice will end and people will get justice in the future SP rule."
Timeline of Kashyap's Political Realignment
| Date | Milestone / Procedural Event | Strategic Context |
|---|---|---|
| October 11, 2026 | Kashyap tenders BJP resignation; meets Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow | Initiates cross-party alignment talks alongside daughter Kirti |
| October 27, 2026 | Formal induction into the Samajwadi Party headquarters | SP integrates OBC community leader to bolster Rohilkhand operations |
| October 28, 2026 | Formal confirmation reported by state political desks | Focus shifts to seat consolidation under the PDA platform |
