Akhilesh Yadav Accuses BJP of Vote Theft, Claims PDA Alliance is Growing
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleges BJP and Election Commission are manipulating voter rolls and claims the PDA alliance is growing rapidly.
Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, accusing the ruling party of widespread electoral malpractice and "vote theft." Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, the SP leader claimed that the BJP is losing its grip on public support, while his party's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) alliance is rapidly expanding across Uttar Pradesh.
'BJP's Tanker Will Burst'
Using sharp metaphors to describe the political climate, Yadav predicted a massive downfall for the ruling party. He suggested that the dissatisfaction among the public is reaching a breaking point.
"Bhajpaiyon ki tanki footegi. Aur unke liye kal matke mangwayenge bade wale,"
(The BJP's tanker will burst. And for them tomorrow we will order big pots.)
Yadav went further, stating that the alleged electoral wrongdoing by the BJP is so significant that it requires more than just a pot to clean up; it requires a massive tank. "9.5 years later, you should come and wash it. Not a pot, a tank. A very big tank," he remarked, adding that the BJP's politics of "pain, sorrow, and humiliation" is being countered by the Samajwadi Party's mission of "love, kindness, and oneness."
Allegations Against Election Commission
The Samajwadi Party chief did not limit his criticism to the BJP, also casting doubt on the impartiality of the Election Commission of India (ECI). He alleged that the poll panel is acting at the behest of the ruling party to manipulate electoral rolls.
Yadav highlighted the role of the 'PDA Praharis'—specialized party members tasked with monitoring electoral processes. He claimed these workers have been instrumental in exposing attempts to manipulate voter lists through the administration.
Specific Instances of Alleged Malpractice
To support his claims, Yadav cited a specific incident in Lucknow's Sarojini Nagar Assembly constituency. He alleged that an individual named Dashrath was coerced into filling out more than 100 Form 7 applications, a move intended to manipulate the voter list. He noted that after the SP's "PDA Praharis" caught the irregularity, the Election Commission eventually acknowledged the validity of the party's complaint.
Furthermore, Yadav raised concerns regarding the transparency of new voter registrations. He pointed out a discrepancy in the numbers provided by the Election Commission:
- Total Form 6 applications submitted: Approximately 87 lakh
- New voters added to final rolls: 84.30 lakh
- Applications for which info was made public: Only 71.38 lakh
The SP leader questioned why information for the remaining applications was not made public, suggesting a deliberate attempt to hide certain data from scrutiny.
The Growth of the PDA Family
Despite the intense political friction, Yadav expressed confidence in the strength of his political coalition. He asserted that the PDA family, representing Backward Classes, Dalits, and Minorities, is growing stronger every day because it draws people in who feel marginalized or insulted by the current administration.
"Wherever there is suffering, sorrow, and humiliation, the more humiliation, sorrow, and suffering increase, the more people continue to join the PDA family," Yadav stated, concluding that those attempting to halt the alliance's momentum would ultimately fail.