On August 15, 2025, Pooja Pal, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Uttar Pradesh, made headlines. She was expelled from the Samajwadi Party (SP) for praising Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This bold move shocked many. Pooja Pal’s life is a story of courage, loss, and determination. She faced great tragedy early in life but turned her pain into strength. Today, she is a well-known politician in Uttar Pradesh. Her journey inspires many, especially women. Let’s explore her life in simple words, diving deep into her struggles, achievements, and recent events.
Early Life And Background
Pooja Pal was born on July 25, 1979, in Allahabad, now called Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. She grew up in a simple family. Her father, Amrit Lal Pal, worked hard to support them. He repaired punctured tyres to earn a living. Life was not easy for Pooja. Her family belonged to the Gaderiya community, a Backward Class in Uttar Pradesh. Money was tight, so Pooja worked small jobs to help her family. She cleaned homes, worked in offices, and even helped in a hospital. Despite these challenges, she valued education. She studied hard and later earned a graduate degree from Swami Vivekanand Subharti University around 2015–2016. Her early life taught her to be strong and never give up.
Pooja Pal Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Pal |
| Date of Birth | July 25, 1979 |
| Place of Birth | Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Family Background | Born in a simple family; father Amrit Lal Pal repaired tyres for a living |
| Community | Gaderiya (Backward Class) |
| Education | Graduate degree from Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (2015–2016) |
| Early Jobs | Cleaner, office worker, hospital helper |
| Marital Status | Married Raju Pal in 2005; widowed in 2005; later married Brijesh Verma |
| Husband (First) | Raju Pal, BSP MLA, killed Jan 25, 2005 |
| Husband (Second) | Brijesh Verma (inter-caste marriage) |
| Children | Limited information available; not publicly disclosed |
| Political Party (Current) | Expelled from Samajwadi Party (SP) on August 14, 2025 |
| Previous Parties | Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) until 2018; joined SP in 2019 |
| Political Career | MLA from Allahabad West (2007–2017, BSP); MLA from Chail (2022, SP) |
| Key Elections | 2005: lost by-election (Allahabad West); 2007, 2012 won (Allahabad West, BSP); 2017 lost to BJP; 2022 won (Chail, SP) |
| Major Event | Husband Raju Pal murdered Jan 25, 2005, allegedly by Atiq Ahmed’s men |
| Fight for Justice | Fought 20 years against Atiq Ahmed; sought CBI probe for Raju’s murder |
| Recent Controversy | Expelled from SP Aug 14, 2025 for praising CM Yogi Adityanath |
| Nationality | India |
| Assets (2022) | ₹17.3 crore (₹7 crore properties, ₹26 lakh gold, 4 firearms) |
| Income Sources | Politics, agriculture, property |
| Notable Actions | Campaigned for BJP candidate in Phulpur by-election (Nov 2024) |
| Legacy | Symbol of resilience; fought against powerful criminal Atiq Ahmed |
| Current Status (2025) | Expelled from SP; future political move unclear (BJP or independent?) |
A Love Story
Pooja’s life changed when she met Raju Pal. He was a rising leader in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). They met while Pooja worked at a hospital. Their friendship soon turned into love. On January 16, 2005, Pooja and Raju got married. It was a happy moment for both. Raju was an MLA from Allahabad West. He had won the seat in 2004, defeating Ashraf Ahmad, the brother of a powerful man named Atiq Ahmed. But their happiness did not last long. Just nine days after their wedding, on January 25, 2005, tragedy struck. Raju was attacked and killed in broad daylight. Gunmen, linked to Atiq Ahmed, shot him and two others in Prayagraj. Pooja, only 25 years old, became a widow. Her world turned upside down.
Entering Politics
After Raju’s death, Pooja could have given up. But she chose to fight. She wanted justice for her husband. The BSP, led by Mayawati, saw her strength. They gave her a ticket to contest the by-election for Raju’s seat in Allahabad West. Pooja lost that election. But she did not lose hope. In 2007, she ran again as a BSP candidate. This time, she won. She defeated Atiq Ahmed’s brother, Ashraf, who was accused in Raju’s murder. Pooja’s victory was a big moment. It showed her courage and the trust people had in her. She became MLA from Allahabad West and served from 2007 to 2017. In 2012, she won the seat again. But in 2017, she lost to a BJP candidate, Siddharth Nath Singh.
Joining the Samajwadi Party
In 2018, Pooja faced another challenge. Mayawati removed her from the BSP. Some said it was because Pooja met a BJP leader, Keshav Prasad Maurya. Pooja did not stop. In 2019, she joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav. The SP gave her a new chance. They offered her a ticket to contest from Chail in Kaushambi district. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Pooja won the Chail seat. She defeated Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel from Apna Dal by 13,209 votes. This victory marked her return to the Assembly. It proved her strong connection with the people.
The Fight for Justice
Pooja’s life and politics have always been about justice. For 20 years, she fought against Atiq Ahmed, the man accused of planning her husband’s murder. Atiq was a powerful figure. He was a five-time MLA and a former MP. He had over 100 criminal cases against him. Pooja never backed down. She kept demanding a CBI probe into Raju’s murder. She accused many governments of protecting Atiq. Things changed when Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister in 2017. His government cracked down on criminals. In April 2023, Atiq’s son, Asad, was killed in a police encounter. Two days later, on April 15, Atiq and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by attackers while under police escort. For Pooja, this was a moment of closure. She felt justice was finally served.
The Recent News
On August 14, 2025, Pooja spoke in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. It was during a 24-hour debate on “Vision Document 2047.” She shocked everyone by praising Yogi Adityanath. She thanked him for his “zero-tolerance” policy against crime. She said, “Everyone knows who killed my husband. I thank the Chief Minister for giving me justice when no one else did.” She even said in Hindi, “Mere pati ke hatyare Atiq Ahmed ko mukhya mantri ne mitti mein milaane ka kaam kiya,” meaning the Chief Minister buried her husband’s killer. Her words were bold. They crossed party lines, as the SP and BJP are rivals. The SP saw this as “anti-party” behavior. Hours later, Akhilesh Yadav expelled her from the party. The expulsion letter said she caused damage to the party despite warnings.
Pooja’s Response
Pooja did not stay silent after her expulsion. She stood by her words. She said she spoke as a woman, not just as an MLA. She wanted to thank Yogi for helping not just her but many women in Prayagraj. She said, “I am the voice of mothers and sisters who lost loved ones. The CM gave justice to all of us.” Pooja also questioned the SP’s stance. She said she believed Akhilesh Yadav was against mafias, like his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav. But she felt the SP showed “double standards” by expelling her. Her words sparked debates. Some praised her courage. Others said she betrayed her party. The BJP called her expulsion a sign of SP’s “anti-women” mindset.
Personal Life And Wealth
Pooja’s personal life is both private and inspiring. After Raju’s death, she remarried Brijesh Verma. This was an inter-caste marriage, which caused some talk in 2022. Little is known about her children or other family members. In 2022, Pooja declared assets worth ₹17.3 crore. She owns properties worth over ₹7 crore and gold jewellery worth ₹26 lakh. She also has four licensed firearms. Her income comes from politics, agriculture, and property. Despite her wealth, she remains connected to her roots. Her simple background makes her relatable to many voters.
Political Moves
Before her expulsion, Pooja made news for another reason. In November 2024, she campaigned for a BJP candidate, Deepak Patel, in the Phulpur by-election. This was surprising since she was an SP MLA. She went door-to-door to support the BJP. Some saw this as a sign of her shifting loyalty. Others said she was just supporting a friend. This move likely added to the SP’s anger. After her expulsion, many wonder what Pooja will do next. Will she join the BJP? Will she stay independent? Her story keeps people curious.
Legacy And Impact
Pooja Pal’s life is a mix of pain and power. She lost her husband just nine days after marriage. Yet, she became a strong voice for justice. Her journey from a poor family to a wealthy MLA is remarkable. She won elections in 2007, 2012, and 2022. She fought a powerful criminal like Atiq Ahmed for 20 years. Her recent expulsion shows her willingness to speak her truth, even at a cost. In Uttar Pradesh, where politics is tough, Pooja stands out. She is a symbol of resilience for women. Her story resonates with those who face loss but choose to fight.
Conclusion
Pooja Pal’s biography is a tale of grit and grace. Born in a humble family, she faced unimaginable loss at 25. But she turned her grief into action. She entered politics, won elections, and fought for justice. Her praise for Yogi Adityanath in August 2025 cost her SP membership. Yet, she stood firm. At 46, Pooja remains a bold figure in Uttar Pradesh politics. Her assets, worth ₹17 crore, show her success. But her real wealth is her courage. As she moves forward, people watch closely. Will she join another party or stay independent? Only time will tell. For now, Pooja Pal’s story inspires us all to face challenges with strength.[](https://www.news18.com/politics/widow-at-25-after-just-9-days-of-marriage-tragic-story-of-expelled-samajwadi-party-mla-pooja-pal-ws-kl-9505752.html)[](https://mabumbe.com/people/pooja-pal-biography-net-worth-relationships/)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pooja_Pal)