The Karhal assembly seat in Mainpuri, known for its complex political dynamics, is witnessing a fierce contest this by-election season. The battle has garnered significant attention, as the sons-in-law of two political stalwarts are going head-to-head in this high-stakes election.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has fielded Tej Pratap Yadav, the son-in-law of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen Anuj Yadav, the son-in-law of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, SP founder and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, as its candidate. This adds a unique twist to the by-election, as both candidates have close familial ties to the legacy of the SP.

Since the formation of the Samajwadi Party, Karhal has remained a stronghold for the party, except for a brief period in 2002 when Sobran Singh Yadav won the seat as a BJP candidate. He later joined the SP and successfully represented Karhal three times in subsequent elections.

In the 2022 assembly elections, SP President Akhilesh Yadav chose to contest from Karhal, securing a victory over BJP candidate and Union Minister Dr. S.P. Singh Baghel. After Akhilesh’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Kannauj, he vacated the Karhal seat, necessitating the current by-election.

The by-election has become a topic of intense discussion in political circles, as it symbolizes more than just a battle between SP and BJP. It is a clash of prestige involving two prominent political families. With both candidates having deep connections to the legacies of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav, this contest has gained statewide attention.

For the SP, retaining the seat would be crucial in maintaining its influence in Mainpuri, while the BJP sees this as an opportunity to make inroads into a traditional SP bastion.

Tej Pratap Yadav and Anuj Yadav are not just political rivals; they share a familial bond. Tej Pratap is married to Rajlakshmi, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s younger daughter, while Anuj Yadav is married to Sandhya alias Baby Yadav, the daughter of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger brother, Abhayram Yadav. Anuj is thus the brother-in-law of SP President Akhilesh Yadav, adding another layer of intrigue to this political battle.

Interestingly, SP President Akhilesh Yadav recently acknowledged the family ties during his campaign visit to Barnahal on October 25. Referring to Anuj’s BJP candidacy, Akhilesh remarked, “When BJP couldn’t find any other strategy, they fielded our relative.”

The political narrative is further complicated by past family tensions. After Anuj Yadav joined the BJP in 2019, his brother-in-law, MP Dharmendra Yadav, severed ties with him, publicly stating that he would not maintain relations with any BJP leader. However, Akhilesh’s recent acceptance of Anuj as a relative has added a twist to the dynamics.

The relationship between the two candidates goes beyond mere rivalry. Anuj Yadav’s wife, Sandhya Yadav, is Tej Pratap Yadav’s aunt, making Anuj and Tej Pratap nephew and uncle. Yet, despite these familial ties, both candidates have emphasized that party loyalty supersedes family connections in this electoral contest.

The Karhal by-election has become a battle not just for political victory but also for the legacy and prestige of two powerful political families. The result will have significant implications for both the SP and BJP, influencing their strategies in the region and potentially impacting the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh. With the entire state watching closely, this contest promises to be one of the most intriguing by-elections in recent times.