SP Speaker in UP Assembly resigns, says party leadership obeys

Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Whip in Uttar Pradesh Assembly Kamal Akhtar resigned from his post on Tuesday (June 30, 2026). He was ordered by party president Akhilesh Yadav to tender his resignation. Mr. Akhtar is SP MLA from Kanth Assembly constituency in Moradabad district.

He became SP’s chief whip in the State Assembly after party MLA Manoj Pandey resigned in 2024 after voting for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls. After submitting his resignation, the MLA said that he had always followed party president Akhilesh Yadav’s instructions and was not upset by the decision. “I have always followed all the instructions of National President Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji. Whatever direction he gives, I am disciplined and a true worker of Samajwadi Party,” said Mr. Akhtar.

The resignation is seen as an attempt by the SP to make changes in the party structure and there are rumors that an MLA from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) or Scheduled Caste (SC) community will be appointed as the new chief whip.

“Our party takes decisions as per need, people are given responsibility according to political dynamics. Kamal Saheb is a senior MLA and a dedicated party leader. He will continue to serve the party in various ways and together we will ensure that SP government comes to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2027. A new Chief Whip will be appointed who will be from PDA, YadavS, Sunil’ communities.

Published – 30 Jun 2026 23:36 IST