Lucknow: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) traded barbs at each other on Monday (October 23) after posters describing Akhilesh Yadav as "future PM" were put up outside the party office in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. The posters read, "Happy birthday to the future PM of the country". Another poster read, "Badla Hai UP Badlenge Desh" (changed the state, will change the country). The BJP and Samajwadi Party indulged in war of words following the development with the former calling it a “sweet dream”.
What is the issue?
Interestingly, Akhilesh Yadav celebrates his birthday on July 1, however, according to Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan, the party workers celebrate his birthday multiple times in the year to “express their love and respect” towards their leader.
"Akhilesh Yadav's birthday is on July 1, but to express their love and respect towards their leader Samajwadi Party workers celebrate his birthday multiple times. Today, some party leaders and workers are celebrating his birthday. Party workers are praying that Akhilesh Yadav becomes the PM of the country and serves the people," he said.
He further said that the party workers want Akhilesh to become the prime minister and wish that he be declared the prime ministerial candidate in the Opposition’s I.N.D.I.A bloc.
"Samajwadi Party leaders and workers want Akhilesh Yadav to become the PM of the country. In the INDIA alliance, we want Akhilesh Yadav to become the face of Prime Minister. Anybody can claim but the one who can actually defeat BJP is Samajwadi Party," he said.
BJP hits back with a jibe
Hitting back at the development, Uttar Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Danish Azad Ansari called it "daydreaming" and said that they should dream "as per one's capability".
"There is a saying, 'Mungeri Lal Ke Haseen Sapne'. Nobody can stop anyone from daydreaming. But one should dream as per one's capability. Under PM Modi's leadership, our country is going ahead on the path of development. People of the country trust PM Modi and the country will definitely elect PM Modi as the PM for the third time," the minister said.
Akhilesh Yadav reacts to posters
Reacting to the posters, Akhilesh Yadav said that the supporters are expressing their wish, and added that the goal of the party is to stop the BJP.
Akhilesh Yadav's rebellious tone
Notably, the Samajwadi Party is a part of the Opposition bloc of over 25 parties which came together under one umbrella hoping and aiming to defeat the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Akhilesh Yadav recently adopted a rebellious tone over seat-sharing in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections slated to take place on November 17, and accused the Congress party of "betrayal".
He said that they were assured that six seats would be given to the Samajwadi Party in Madhya Pradesh.
"If we had known that there was no alliance of INDIA bloc (of Samajwadi Party and Congress) in Madhya Pradesh for Assembly elections, then we would not have sent our people to hold discussions with Congress," he said.
Reacting to his statement, Congress leader Kamal Nath said, "Are bhai chhodo Akhilesh Vakhilesh' (Forget about Akhilesh Yadav)".
Samajwadi Party workers putting up posters of Akhilesh Yadav as "future PM" may escalate the matter further, with no discussions currently underway in the Opposition camp regarding their prime ministerial candidate.
(With ANI inputs)
