Another chapter in the political rivalry of the Apna Dal family is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh, with reports pointing to a potential new electoral debut ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.
Parul Patel, the eldest of the four daughters of late Apna Dal founder Dr. Sone Lal Patel, is being lined up for a ticket under the Samajwadi Party-led alliance by her mother, Krishna Patel. Krishna Patel and her daughter Pallavi Patel currently lead the Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) faction, which has aligned itself with the Samajwadi Party.
In contrast, Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel leads the rival Apna Dal (Sonelal) faction, which is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The family split into separate factions following an internal feud over party administration after the founder’s death in 2009.
Earlier, the rivalry gained major attention amidst the 2002 assembly elections when Pallavi Patel contested from the Sirathu constituency and defeated the then Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, while Anupriya Patel campaigned for Maurya’s side.
With Parul Patel actively participating in programmes hosted by Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), political circles are also speculating about a possible political entry by the youngest sister, Aman Patel, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
The developments highlight how the legacy of the Kurmi OBC-influencing Apna Dal continues to divide the family across opposing political alignments as parties gear up for the next election cycle.
News Edit KV Raman
