Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP), calling its coined term ‘PDA’ a “Production House of Dangai (rioters) and Apradhi (criminals).” His remarks came during a rally in Ambedkar Nagar, ahead of the November 20 by-elections in the state.
Adityanath responded to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav’s term ‘PDA,’ which during the 2022 assembly elections, stood for ‘Pichhde’ (backward), ‘Dalits,’ and ‘Alpsakhyak’ (minorities). The UP CM redefined PDA, accusing the Samajwadi Party of fostering a network of criminals. “SP talks about PDA, but let me tell you what their PDA really is — the Production House of Dangai and Apradhi. This is the new definition I’m giving you,” Adityanath said.
He further criticized Akhilesh Yadav, calling him the “CEO” of this alleged criminal syndicate, with his uncle Shivpal Yadav portrayed as the “trainer.” The Chief Minister pointed to notorious criminals and mafia figures associated with the SP, including gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, mafia don Mukhtar Ansari, and other notorious figures from the region. “All these criminals, rapists, and mafia were the products of the Samajwadi Party’s production house. They were business partners in crime,” Adityanath said.
The BJP leader also emphasized the contrast between the Samajwadi Party’s current state and the socialist movement’s original ideals, mentioning leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, and Chandrashekhar, who once represented the socialist cause. “The SP has deteriorated into a gathering of criminals and mafia,” he added.
Adityanath further accused the SP of involvement in multiple incidents of violence in cities like Ayodhya, Kannauj, Lucknow, and Hardoi, which he claimed reflected the party’s descent into lawlessness.
UP Bypolls 2024: Key Seats and Political Context
Nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh are set for bypolls, including constituencies like Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Karhal (Mainpuri), Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar), Ghaziabad, Majhawan (Mirzapur), Sishamau (Kanpur City), Khair (Aligarh), Phulpur (Prayagraj), and Kundarki (Moradabad). Eight of these seats became vacant following the election of their MLAs to the Lok Sabha, while the Sishamau seat is up for election due to the disqualification of SP MLA Irfan Solanki, convicted in a criminal case.
In the 2022 assembly elections, the SP had secured Katehari, Karhal, Milkipur, and Kundarki, while the BJP claimed Phulpur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, and Khair. The Meerapur seat, previously held by the RLD, is now contested by the BJP and its ally. While the Congress has opted not to contest the bypolls, it has pledged support to the Samajwadi Party under the INDIA bloc. The BSP, however, is contesting all nine seats independently.
The outcome of these bypolls will be crucial in shaping the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh as both the ruling BJP and the opposition parties gear up for the next general elections.
