Akhilesh Yadav’s action or mutual discord? SP MLA Kamal Akhtar resigns from the post of Chief Whip

Lucknow. A big news of this time is coming out from the politics of Uttar Pradesh and the inner corridors of Samajwadi Party (SP). Kamal Akhtar, SP MLA from Kanth Assembly seat of Moradabad, suddenly resigned from the post of Chief Whip of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. Since this resignation, a period of speculation has started in UP politics. It is believed that his ongoing rift with Moradabad MP Ruchi Veera is the biggest reason for his resignation.

In fact, the news of differences between Kamal Akhtar and MP Ruchi Veera had been in the media headlines for quite some time. However, Kamal Akhtar has called this decision an order of party president Akhilesh Yadav. He says that he has taken this step only on the instructions of the National President, because responsibilities keep changing in the organization. But political pundits are linking it to the factionalism and discord going on within the party.

Controversy with Ruchi Veera and Akhilesh’s Lucknow meeting

It is being told that the dispute between these two big leaders of SP in Moradabad had escalated to such an extent that the party high command itself had to intervene in it. To resolve this internal dispute, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had recently held an important meeting with both the leaders in Lucknow. At that time it was claimed that the matter had been resolved and everything was fine between the two parties. But now suddenly after Kamal Akhtar’s resignation came to light, it has become clear that the fire burning within had not subsided yet.

On this entire incident, Kamal Akhtar said while talking to the media, “I have resigned from the post of Chief Whip on the orders of National President Akhilesh Yadav ji. He is our universally accepted leader and it is my duty to follow his orders.” He further said that he was handling this responsibility for about one and a half years and now he wants to focus his entire attention on his assembly seat, because he has to contest elections in the future.

Got the responsibility after the rebellion of Manoj Pandey

If we go back a little, this big responsibility was handed over to Kamal Akhtar last year on 28 July 2024. Before him, Manoj Kumar Pandey, MLA from Unchahar, Rae Bareli, used to be the Chief Whip of SP. But during the 2024 Rajya Sabha elections, Manoj Pandey adopted a rebellious stance and resigned from his post on the day of voting itself and cross-voted in favor of the BJP candidate. Akhilesh Yadav had expressed confidence in Kamal Akhtar on the post which became vacant after Manoj Pandey changed sides.

Why is the post of Chief Whip so special?

In the parliamentary and democratic system, the post of Chief Whip is considered very powerful and important. In fact, this post has the entire responsibility of maintaining party discipline within the House. It is the Chief Whip who decides that all the party MLAs should be present during the assembly session and vote on any bill or proposal according to the party’s line.

If an MLA violates the party whip, his membership can even be canceled based on the report of the Chief Whip. Moreover, the post acts as a strong bridge between the party leadership and the MLAs. Kamal Akhtar had the responsibility of conveying the displeasure of the MLAs, their suggestions or their opinion on any issue directly to Akhilesh Yadav. Now it will be interesting to see whom Akhilesh Yadav gives a chance to this important post.

Overall, this political ruckus that started from Moradabad has now reached Lucknow. Kamal Akhtar may have called it a routine change and Akhilesh Yadav’s order, but there is a strong discussion in the political circles of Uttar Pradesh that his dispute with Ruchi Veera has become the real reason for his resignation.