Akhilesh Accuses BJP of Putting Up ‘Fake Posters’ to Create Rift in INDIA Bloc

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday accused the BJP of putting up “fake” posters in Lucknow and other districts to create divisions within the INDIA bloc ahead of next year’s Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The posters, carrying the slogan “200 seat haq hai hamara, UP ko hai Rahul Gandhi par bharosa”, feature Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and local leaders. They highlight the Congress’s reported push for around 200 seats in its ongoing seat-sharing negotiations with the SP.

In a post on X, Yadav alleged that the posters had been displayed without official permission or payment of the prescribed municipal fees. He demanded action against the officials concerned, including their suspension, for allegedly allowing the unauthorised displays and causing revenue losses to local bodies.

Yadav also claimed that the failure to pay the required fees could be intended to conceal the identities of those behind the campaign. He said the SP was maintaining a date-wise record of such incidents and the officials responsible.

He warned that an SP-led PDA government, if voted to power, would act against officials involved in corruption and activate agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and Economic Offences Wing to investigate their conduct.

Congress leaders rejected suggestions of divisions within the opposition alliance. Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam said the INDIA bloc remained united and was fighting to protect social justice, democracy and the Constitution. State Congress chief Aradhana Misra Mona also accused those behind the posters of attempting to create confusion, asserting that the alliance would not be weakened.

The Congress began seat-sharing talks with the SP earlier this week, submitting an initial list of more than 175 constituencies where it believes it can perform well. Gautam said the list covered between 175 and 200 seats, leaving room for negotiations.

The Congress contested the 2022 Assembly elections independently and won only two seats. However, its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, when it won six seats alongside the SP’s 37, has strengthened its expectations ahead of the next state elections.