The political arena of Uttar Pradesh is set to witness the entry of a new player, with the Sarvajan Sanatan Party, led by former CBI chief M. Nageswara Rao, initiating a search for prospective candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. The party aims to field candidates across all 403 constituencies.
Party Invites Applications for Candidate Selection
According to details received by The Chenab Times, M. Nageswara Rao, a retired IPS officer based in Hyderabad, officially assumed the role of national president of the Sarvajan Sanatan Party approximately a month ago on the banks of the Ganga in Kashi. The party has announced the commencement of the first phase of its candidate selection process, inviting applications from individuals aspiring to contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections.
Rao stated via his social media platform X that the current application process is intended for preliminary screening. Those applicants who are found to be preliminarily suitable will be subsequently invited to provide more detailed information and necessary documentation in the second phase of the selection process.
The party’s call for applicants outlines specific criteria, emphasizing that candidates must align with the Sarvajan Sanatan Party’s core ideology, objectives, and policies, and demonstrate a commitment to working in accordance with them. Essential eligibility requirements include being an Indian citizen, having their name registered on the electoral roll of any legislative assembly constituency within Uttar Pradesh, and meeting the minimum age requirement of 25 years by the date of nomination paper scrutiny.
Rao, who previously served as the Additional Director of the CBI and held the charge of the director’s office in 2019, articulated his vision for a transformed political landscape. He believes that India, or Bharat, needs to move beyond divisive politics and reconnect with a unifying national purpose. He stated that the alternative offered by his party is not another iteration of identity politics, but rather a political approach grounded in India’s civilisational ethos, its constitutional democracy, and the principle of welfare and dignity for all citizens.
Party Aims for ‘Civilisational Politics’
In a political environment in Uttar Pradesh often characterized by caste and religious divisions, Rao expressed the Sarvajan Sanatan Party’s aspiration to foster a ‘Bharat’ that is modern in its outlook, deeply rooted in its civilisational values, and united in its collective purpose. He clarified that the party’s objective is not to replicate the past, but to integrate the best of India’s inherited traditions, adapt them for contemporary relevance, enrich them through knowledge and innovation, and then pass them on, strengthened, to future generations.
The application form explicitly states that submitting an application does not guarantee selection as a party candidate or the allocation of a party ticket. The ultimate authority for candidate selection rests with the party’s designated leadership, according to the application guidelines.
The initiative marks a significant step for Rao’s political venture, which is positioning itself as a distinct alternative in the state’s multi-cornered electoral contests. The party’s focus on civilisational values and national purpose aims to resonate with a segment of the electorate seeking a departure from traditional political narratives.
The preliminary screening process is expected to attract a wide range of applicants, given the size and political diversity of Uttar Pradesh. The party’s leadership will be scrutinizing applications to identify individuals who not only meet the basic eligibility criteria but also embody the party’s foundational principles and are prepared to dedicate themselves to its political agenda. The success of this candidate selection process will be crucial for the Sarvajan Sanatan Party’s prospects in its debut electoral foray.
The Chenab Times News Desk
