At a party function in Lucknow on Saturday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav warned that the Election Commission could conduct a review of the State Election Rules before the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and urged party workers to remain alert. Yadav said the BJP is in its final stretch and is trying to amass wealth before leaving office, stressing that the SP is working to prevent dilution of votes in a potential SIR review.
He criticised the ruling party’s record, claiming that the BJP has spent thousands of crores on negative propaganda and that its policies—such as blending ethanol into petrol—have harmed the economy. Yadav dismissed the promises of demonetisation, arguing that it actually increased corruption. He also accused the BJP of using its influence to target those who do not belong to its caste groups, citing incidents of humiliation and false charges against opponents.
Yadav noted that the Election Commission had previously sidelined state police during the Bengal elections and warned that a similar exclusion could happen in Uttar Pradesh. He mocked a recent meeting between Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, questioning why the BJP would discuss air‑purification while its own governance was criticized for environmental neglect.
The SP chief called for a combined on‑ground and digital campaign, highlighting videos produced by party workers that counter the ruling party’s messaging. He also questioned why student union elections are held in Delhi but not in Uttar Pradesh, and announced the addition of new leaders such as Mayank Dwivedi, Nand Kishore Giri and Junaid to the party’s ranks.
