Former Aonla MP Dharmendra Kashyap sent shockwaves through Uttar Pradesh political circles on October 6, 2026, after posting a cryptic “Tata Bye-Bye” message on social media following his exclusion from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) official Rajya Sabha candidate list.
The two-time former parliamentarian from Aonla (Bareilly) further heightened speculation of an imminent departure by removing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image from his social media header and switching off his personal telephone numbers.
Cryptic Post Signals Growing Rift Within UP BJP
The controversy erupted hours after the BJP declared its 8 candidates for the upcoming election to 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh. The party nominated Dharmpal Singh, Sadhakant Ojha, Prakash Pal, Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Priyanka Singh Rawat, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan, and Shruti Gangwar.
However, the omission of Dharmendra Kashyap—a key OBC leader in the Rohilkhand region—triggered immediate backlash. Taking to social media, the former leader published a succinct message:
“Tata Bye-Bye” — Dharmendra Kashyap, Former MP, Aonla Constituency
While the post contained no explicit reference to resigning from the party, its timing and subsequent actions point toward severe internal friction. Supporters of the Samajwadi Party (SP) quickly flooded his profile with comments like “Welcome Member of Parliament”.
| BJP UP RAJYA SABHA SNUB & REACTION | |
|---|---|
| Former MP Dharmendra Kashyap (Aonla) |
|
| Vikas Kishor (Son of Ex-MP Kaushal Kishor) |
|
SP Outreach and Electoral Calculations in Rohilkhand
The timing of Kashyap’s post gains added weight due to his reported recent meetings with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Local political observers indicate that Kashyap has been maintaining lines of communication with the SP leadership, allegedly seeking an electoral platform for his daughter from the Dataganj assembly constituency in upcoming state polls.
Dharmendra Kashyap’s Political Timeline:
- 2002: Elected as MLA on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket from Sanha (now Bithari Chainpur).
- 2003–2007: Joined Samajwadi Party (SP) and served as a state cabinet minister.
- 2014 & 2019: Switched to the BJP and won the Aonla Lok Sabha seat in consecutive general elections.
- 2024: Contested on a BJP ticket from Aonla but faced defeat.
- October 2026: Excluded from Rajya Sabha nomination list; posted viral “Tata Bye-Bye” remark.
Wider Discontent Creeps into UP BJP Ranks
Kashyap is not the sole voice of dissent emerging from the BJP’s Upper House nominations. Vikas Kishor, son of former Mohanlalganj MP Kaushal Kishor, expressed public anguish over his father being denied a ticket.
“One should not stay in a family where parents are not given honor and respect.” — Vikas Kishor, Son of Former BJP MP Kaushal Kishor
The simultaneous friction from multiple regional heavyweights highlights a delicate situation for the BJP leadership in Uttar Pradesh as it seeks to manage internal party discipline alongside regional OBC representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dharmendra Kashyap post ‘Tata Bye-Bye’?
Dharmendra Kashyap shared the cryptic post shortly after being excluded from the BJP’s candidate list for the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Is Dharmendra Kashyap joining the Samajwadi Party?
While Dharmendra Kashyap has not issued an official statement regarding party realignment, his recent meetings with Akhilesh Yadav and profile updates have fueled widespread speculation of an SP shift.
Which constituency did Dharmendra Kashyap represent?
Dharmendra Kashyap represented the Aonla Lok Sabha constituency in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, winning elections on a BJP ticket in 2014 and 2019.
Who are the key BJP nominees for the 2026 UP Rajya Sabha election?
The BJP’s 8 declared candidates include Dharmpal Singh, Sadhakant Ojha, Prakash Pal, Vidyasagar Sonkar, Gopi Krishna Pandey, Priyanka Singh Rawat, Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan, and Shruti Gangwar.
Future Implications and Electoral Outlook
The fallout from Dharmendra Kashyap’s viral post underscores the challenges of managing political aspirations following high-stakes candidate selections. If Kashyap formally breaks ties with the BJP to join the Samajwadi Party, it could alter backward-caste dynamics across Rohilkhand and the Aonla-Bareilly belt. With all eyes turned toward the Election Commission of India’s scrutiny phase for the Rajya Sabha polls, the BJP state organization must decide whether to engage in damage control or prepare for potential re-alignments in Uttar Pradesh.
Manish Kumar began his professional journey in digital marketing and performance marketing, and currently works as a Digital Marketing Excutive and SEO expert. With over 3 years of professional experience, he handles both strategy and execution. Currently, he manages digital marketing and performance marketing at ‘Shabd Sanchi’ (shabdsanchi.com).