"Aaju baaju kha rahe kaju": Cashews enter UP political battle
A social media spat erupts in UP as Akhilesh Yadav and Brajesh Pathak exchange videos of each other eating cashews ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a bizarre and highly satirical turn of events in Uttar Pradesh politics, the upcoming 2027 Assembly elections have already found an unlikely symbol: cashews. A heated social media war has broken out between Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, with both leaders trading videos of one another snacking on expensive nuts.
The 'Cashew' Jibe Begins
The digital spat commenced when Akhilesh Yadav posted a video of Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak eating cashews. Accompanied by a stinging satirical caption, Yadav remarked, "Mukhiya hain besudh-bekabu aaju baaju kha rahe kaju", implying the leader was senseless and out of control while munching on delicacies.
Yadav's attack was not merely about the snack; he used the moment to launch a scathing critique of the state government's administration. He linked the "cashew" comment to a serious allegation regarding the treatment of marginalized communities.
Allegations of Discrimination
The Samajwadi Party leader alleged that a pregnant woman from the Musahar caste was denied medical care at a hospital and forced to give birth in unhygienic, open conditions due to her caste. Targeting Pathak, who holds the state's Health portfolio, Yadav stated:
- The BJP government is an enemy of the 'PDA' (Pichhde, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak) communities.
- The Health Minister should focus on the "poison of discrimination" in his department rather than enjoying cashews.
- The government has reached a low point in its political conduct.
Pathak Hits Back at 'False Simplicity'
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak did not let the insult slide. He retaliated by posting a video of Akhilesh Yadav seated at a dining table, surrounded by a lavish spread of food. Pathak mocked the SP chief's carefully crafted public image of austerity.
"Wow, what grandeur! Cashews, raisins, almonds, and a lavish spread of dishes adorn the table," Pathak wrote, accusing Yadav of political hypocrisy. He suggested that while Yadav portrays a simple life of "dal-roti" to the public, his actual lifestyle is one of royal feasts and delicacies. Pathak's response highlighted what he termed as "political pretence" and "false simplicity."
High Stakes for 2027
This social media skirmish is more than just a petty argument over snacks; it signals the intensifying rivalry between the BJP and the SP as they gear up for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections. While the BJP aims to secure a third consecutive term in the state, the Samajwadi Party is doubling down on its PDA formula to consolidate its vote bank among backward classes, Dalits, and minorities.