UP ticket deal exposed: MLA seats allegedly priced at ₹2-8 crore, leaders discuss payments and ticket allocation on camera

An MLA ticket in the Nishad Party costs ₹5 crore. Pay half now and the rest before the ticket is announced. Last time, rates were ₹7-8 crore in some places and ₹2-3 crore in others.

This is what a senior Nishad Party leader tells our undercover reporters.

Even before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are officially announced, allegations of ticket selling have surfaced within political parties. The price of a ticket appears to depend on the party’s strength and its prospects on a particular seat. Sources claim that tickets for weaker seats can be secured for around ₹2 crore, while strong and winnable seats may cost up to ₹8 crore.

Office-bearers linked to parties represented by ministers in the Yogi Adityanath government are allegedly involved in these deals. Compared to the previous election, ticket rates have reportedly increased by one-and-a-half to two times. Opposition-linked parties are also alleged to be following a similar practice.

To investigate these claims, Dainik Bhaskar sent two undercover reporters into four political parties in Uttar Pradesh. Posing as social workers and aspiring political leaders, they spent nearly one-and-a-half months building contacts within party organisations. During this period, several office-bearers allegedly demanded money in exchange for Assembly election tickets.

The investigation began with the Nishad Party, led by Dr Sanjay Nishad, a Cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government and an ally of the BJP. One of his sons is also an MLA, and party affairs are largely handled by family members.

After joining party activities, the reporters developed contacts with Ravindramani Nishad, Dr Sanjay Nishad’s brother-in-law. Ravindramani has previously served as the party’s state president. He currently holds the position of Uttar Pradesh election in-charge and is also a member of the state’s Backward Classes Commission.

After several rounds of interaction, Ravindramani called the reporters to Hamirpur. It was there that discussions regarding an Assembly election ticket and the alleged financial terms took place.

Reporter: We want the Fazilnagar (Kushinagar district) seat because your vote base is there.

Ravindramani: Since you have expressed your wish, we will fight your battle. Look, this is our first meeting. When we meet again, we will discuss it further.

Reporter: But there is not much time left either.

Ravindramani: The Chief Minister has also said that the Model Code of Conduct will be imposed by December 15.

Reporter: Our request is that if we had known earlier, we would have started preparations.

Ravindramani: Last time, the calculation was such that whoever was told, that’s what happened. Even the Minister (Dr Sanjay Nishad) used to tell us that you should speak to people. But this time, the election is at a very different level.

Reporter: Yes, there will be a tough fight.

Ravindramani: Yes, the party will prepare accordingly. You can assume that Rs 5 crore will be required. If it reaches that amount, there will be no ifs and buts.

Reporter: If we pay the amount in one go, will it be confirmed immediately, or should we pay half first? What needs to be done?

Ravindramani: That’s up to you. Pay half first and the remaining half before the announcement, when election time comes. The party should not feel that after making the announcement, you might back out. Last time, everyone was announced at the last moment, so everything happened in one go.

Reporter: What was the rate last time?

Ravindramani: It varied. In some places, it was Rs 7-8 crore, in others Rs 2-3 crore, and elsewhere Rs 5-6 crore. It was decided seat-wise.

Reporter: Okay, will it be Rs 5 crore for the Fazilnagar seat as well, or will it be less?

Ravindramani: Now the rate is almost the same everywhere.

Reporter: What if someone else meets Doctor Sahab? Will my ticket get cancelled?

Ravindramani: One thing is certain. There are only six months left before the election. Even if someone meets Doctor Sahab, they will still have to come through us.

Reporter: What should be our next step?

Ravindramani: On the 7th, it is Minister ji’s birthday. To make a good impression, come with a gift. The meeting will happen that day itself. We will introduce you.

Reporter: Should we gift gold or something else?

Ravindramani: That’s up to you. We just say that the first impression is the last impression. After that, we will arrange a 10-minute meeting with him, either the same day or the next day.

Reporter: All this is fine, but what can we do for you?

Ravindramani: Whatever 5% or 10% comes our way will be fine.

This means the Nishad Party, which is part of the ruling alliance in UP, is allegedly selling tickets. Are other parties associated with the government doing the same? To find out, we entered the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) posing as a party worker.

The party’s national president is Om Prakash Rajbhar, who is also a Cabinet minister in the UP government. To negotiate for a ticket, we contacted National Organisation Minister Salik Yadav. He called us to Ghazipur, where the following conversation took place:

Reporter: How much funding will be required?

Salik Yadav: We will discuss it and decide how much money will be needed. That will become clear.

Reporter: Can you tell us roughly?

Salik Yadav: Let the meeting with the Minister happen on the 7th. It is not right to discuss money everywhere.

Reporter: We will do whatever is required. We just want the ticket.

Salik Yadav: Now that you have put this in my mind, I have become your lawyer. The final decision is in someone else’s hands, but we will be there. Nothing will happen without consulting us.

Reporter: What is your estimate? How much will it cost?

Salik Yadav: Brother, the matter may be settled for Rs 5-6 crore, but we will have to assess the situation.

The meeting ended with Salik Yadav saying he would speak to National President Om Prakash Rajbhar. He said he would later inform us about the ticket rate. A few days later, we called him again. He said he had spoken to Arvind Rajbhar, son of the national president. He then revealed the conversation:

Salik Yadav: I spoke to Arvind.

Reporter: What did he say about funding?

Salik Yadav: He said that Rs 10-15 crore is being spent in the BJP. We told him that we have nothing to do with the BJP. We are only talking about our side.

Reporter: What did you tell him?

Salik Yadav: We told him that our estimate is only this much (Rs 5-6 crore). We have to contest the election within that budget.

Reporter: What did he say?

Salik Yadav: We told him that the overall budget was Rs 10-12 crore and that a share would also have to go to the party. We wanted to gauge Arvind’s estimate, so we told him it would be Rs 5-7 crore. But he said it would not happen at that amount.

Reporter: So how much should be agreed upon finally?

Salik Yadav: We told you already, it has to be done within Rs 6 crore. Arvind has not revealed much yet.

Reporter: Did he say anything specific?

Salik Yadav: Yes, they were talking about Rs 7-8 crore or even Rs 10-12 crore. We said we would not go that high. We also told them that we would get a new car from you. There is no point hiding these things. If they find out later, they may feel bad.

Reporter: So it could go up to Rs 8 crore?

Salik Yadav: It will be less than that, but their intention is around Rs 8 crore.

Reporter: Last time it was Rs 5 crore, and this time you have proposed Rs 6 crore.

Salik Yadav: Yes, you had asked us to tell them up to Rs 6 crore.

Reporter: What did they say?

Salik Yadav: They said, “Okay, talk to Babuji (Om Prakash Rajbhar).”

After this, we contacted officials of Apna Dal (Sonelal). The party’s national president, Anupriya Patel, is a Union minister, while her husband Ashish Patel is a minister in the UP government. His home district is Chitrakoot. The district president there, Hemraj Singh, is considered close to the party’s national vice-president Ashish Patel.

When we contacted Hemraj Singh, he called us to the party office in Chitrakoot. The following conversation took place there:

Reporter: What will have to be done?

Hemraj Singh: Here, 2 is going on.

Reporter: Two crore rupees?

Hemraj Singh: No. Last time, the MLA from Mau (Avinash Chandra Dwivedi) paid Rs 8 crore. Right now, there is competition between two people, he was saying.

Reporter: Did the MLA really pay Rs 8 crore?

Hemraj Singh: Yes, that same Avinash Chandra Dwivedi.

Reporter: Rs 8 crore is a huge amount.

Hemraj Singh: That’s what was paid. A man named Narendra Patel had offered Rs 7 crore. He was from Mau. Even then, he did not get the ticket. They gave it to Avinash ji because he paid Rs 8 crore directly.

Reporter: If you give us a rough figure, it will be easier.

Hemraj Singh: I already told you, our MLA paid Rs 8 crore.

Reporter: So should we arrange a similar amount?

Hemraj Singh: They will not take less than that now.

Are opposition parties also selling tickets?

To find out, we approached the Janvadi Party (Socialist). The party was allied with the Samajwadi Party in the last Assembly election and also in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

To infiltrate the party, we met General Secretary Umesh Singh Chauhan. After several meetings, he became convinced that we genuinely wanted a ticket. He then called us to Gorakhpur and introduced us to the party’s national president, Dr Sanjay Singh Chauhan, at his residence.

Reporter: We had spoken with General Secretary Umesh Singh Chauhan about the Padrauna or Fazilnagar Assembly seat. We can also bring Brahmin votes there.

Sanjay Singh: Padrauna will be easier. It can be managed. I cannot guarantee Fazilnagar because Akhilesh ji has an emotional attachment to that seat. It may still be available, but Akhilesh ji could face difficulty because he is an emotional leader.

Reporter: Okay, wherever you think best.

Sanjay Singh: Look, if you join us, your goal is to become an MLA. My goal is to strengthen my party. By the Banaras rally on September 14, I will change the entire political atmosphere of Purvanchal.

Reporter: Last time, Doctor Sahab (General Secretary Umesh Chauhan) had mentioned Rs 1 crore.

Sanjay Singh: If you do that much now, it will provide us some relief.

Reporter: What will need to be done next? There was also talk of making me a state-level office-bearer.

Sanjay Singh: Yes, that will be done.

Reporter: If I contest the election, what will be my total expense?

Sanjay Singh: (Looking towards the General Secretary) You and Doctor Sahab can sit together and discuss that.

Reporter: You are the supreme authority, the party chief. That is why we are asking you.

Sanjay Singh: Start with Padrauna and rest assured. Whether there is an alliance with the SP or the BJP, that seat will remain with us. Do one thing—arrange Rs 1 crore right now. Then, for our Banaras rally on September 14, arrange another Rs 1 crore. That is the Prime Minister’s constituency, and every report from there reaches the Prime Minister’s Office.

Reporter: One crore or one and a half crore?

Sanjay Singh: Arrange Rs 1 crore.

Reporter: After that, what happens?

Sanjay Singh: After that, whatever makes you happy. Your ticket will be confirmed.

Reporter: Does that mean Rs 2 crore in total?

Sanjay Singh: (Nods in agreement) Rs 2 crore. If I ever get into a serious difficulty, I will remember you.

Why such ticket deals are illegal