Former interim Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief M. Nageshwar Rao has officially entered active politics, positioning his Sarvajan Sanatan Party (SSP) as a new contender in the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The party has initiated the process of selecting candidates, inviting applications for all 403 constituencies across the state.
A New Political Force in Uttar Pradesh
Rao, a retired IPS officer from Hyderabad, assumed the role of national president for the Sarvajan Sanatan Party in Varanasi in October 2026. He announced the first phase of candidate selection via social media, as political parties gear up for the Assembly elections scheduled for early next year.
The application process is described as a preliminary screening. Rao clarified that submitting an application does not guarantee a party ticket, with final decisions resting with the party's authorized leadership. Eligibility criteria for applicants include being an Indian citizen, a registered voter in a Uttar Pradesh Assembly constituency, and at least 25 years old by the nomination scrutiny date. Candidates must also align with the SSP's ideology, objectives, and policies.
Party Ideology and Election Landscape
Explaining his foray into politics, Rao stated that the country requires a political alternative that transcends social divisions. He envisions the Sarvajan Sanatan Party as a movement rooted in India's civilisational ethos, constitutional democracy, and committed to the welfare and dignity of every citizen, rather than another form of identity politics.
Rao emphasized the party's aim to blend modern development with India's rich cultural traditions. He articulated a vision of renewing India's inherited strengths for the present, enriching them through knowledge and innovation, and transmitting them to future generations.
The 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are anticipated to be closely watched. Currently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds power under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, having secured 255 out of 403 seats in the 2022 elections. The Samajwadi Party (SP) remains the primary opposition, having won 111 seats in the last election, with its allies adding another 14.