Apna Dal (Soneylal)

Apna Dal (Soneylal) is an Indian political party primarily based in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It was founded by Dr. Sone Lal Patel in 1995. Following Patel's death in 2009, the party experienced internal divisions, leading to the emergence of factions. Apna Dal (Soneylal) is one such faction, led by his wife, Krishna Patel, for a period before further internal strife. The party's core support base traditionally comes from the Kurmi community, a significant Other Backward Class (OBC) group in Uttar Pradesh.

The party's political agenda generally revolves around advocating for the rights and interests of the Kurmi community and other marginalized groups. It often aligns itself with larger national parties, seeking representation in both the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament). Apna Dal (Soneylal) has, at times, allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh and at the national level. These alliances are often strategically formed to gain political leverage and representation.

The party's electoral performance has varied over time. While it has secured representation in both state and national legislatures, its influence is largely concentrated in specific regions of Uttar Pradesh where the Kurmi population is significant. The party's influence in Uttar Pradesh politics is considerable given the state's large population and significant number of parliamentary seats.