This phase saw many senior SP leaders in the electoral fray. Many in the Yadav family were involved in what political observers believe will be a close contest, because of a resurgent Opposition and bitter infighting within the SP. It was in this phase, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav managed to win 55 seats in the region in 2012.
Many SP heavyweights — including Shivpal Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav and Akhilesh’s cousin Anurag Yadav – contested in this phase.
