Arjun Arya Joins Samajwadi Party for Budhni Bypoll Showdown

The Samajwadi Party has nominated Arjun Arya for the Budhni bypoll in Madhya Pradesh after efforts for an alliance with Congress fell through. Arya, once with Congress, is challenging their nominee. The bypoll, set for November 13, follows Shivraj Singh Chouhan's resignation to contest national elections.

In a dramatic political move, Arjun Arya has been nominated by the Samajwadi Party to contest the Budhni bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, against the Congress candidate Rajkumar Patel. The decision came after a failed attempt to form an alliance with the Congress, as revealed by SP leaders.

Arya, who had left SP for Congress before the 2018 elections, returned to SP upon meeting with Akhilesh Yadav earlier this month. This nomination is seen as a significant shift in political alignments ahead of the November 13 by-election.

The Budhni seat became vacant following Shivraj Singh Chouhan's resignation to pursue a Lok Sabha seat from Vidisha. The Samajwadi Party, however, will not contest the Vijaypur seat. The absence of an alliance marks the third instance of SP and Congress failing to collaborate electorally in Madhya Pradesh.

(With inputs from agencies.)