New Delhi, Nov 4 — The BJP on Wednesday criticised Samajwadi Party (SP) President, Akhilesh Yadav's indication that he would not contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, saying he had made the right decision as he would otherwise face the fate of several INDIA Bloc leaders who lost recent electoral contests.
The BJP said Yadav was aware of the political situation and the possibility of facing defeat if he entered the electoral fray.
The controversy follows Yadav's remarks during his visit to Varanasi on Tuesday. When asked by reporters whether he would contest the next year's Assembly elections, possibly from a constituency in the city, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister responded in his characteristic witty style.
"We become chief minister when we do not contest elections. So, we will do what is auspicious for us," he said.
Reacting to his remarks, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Anil Rajbhar said Yadav lacked the courage to face the public and was making excuses through political statements.
"They do not have the courage to face the public. They know this very well and are simply making excuses and engaging in political theatrics. The Samajwadi Party and its leaders are anti-development, anti-farmer, anti-youth, anti-student and anti-women. They lack the courage to face the people because they know that if they go among the public, voters will reject them decisively," he told IANS.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar also criticised the SP chief, saying he was unwilling to contest elections or face the public.
"He will neither contest the elections nor go to the people. He is neither willing to enter the electoral fray nor face the public. The people have already rejected Akhilesh Yadav," he said.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Pal said Yadav had taken the right decision by staying away from the electoral contest.
"He has made a very right decision; otherwise, his fate would have been like Kejriwal losing the Assembly election in Delhi, Mamata Banerjee losing in Bengal, and the INDIA Bloc's chief ministerial face Gaurav Gogoi losing in Assam. He knows that the public is not just defeating the INDIA Bloc but soundly routing them, and even their incumbent Chief Ministers are losing," Pal said.
However, Uttar Pradesh Minister Nitin Agrawal said contesting elections was an individual's personal decision and Yadav was entitled to make his choice.
"Who will contest elections and who will not, is an individual's personal decision. He has decided that he will not contest; that is his personal decision. In a democracy, one should win elections and come to the House. I believe that those who contest elections and win have greater credibility in a democracy. The rest is everyone's personal choice," he said.
BJP MLA Paltu Ram also criticised Yadav, alleging that his decision amounted to making a mockery of democracy. He further accused the SP of disregarding democratic values and constitutional institutions, alleging that its tenure in Uttar Pradesh was marked by lawlessness and a 'goonda raj'.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput defended the SP chief, saying his decision to contest or not contest the elections would not affect his role in the party's campaign.
"Whether or not Akhilesh Yadav contests the elections, he is currently an honourable Member of Parliament and will lead the party's election campaign. The entire responsibility of the party rests on his shoulders. Whatever decision he takes will be acceptable to everyone in the INDIA alliance, as he is one of our key leaders," he said.
Samajwadi Party MP Lalji Verma also supported Yadav's decision, saying that not contesting an election could allow a leader to work across the entire state.
"When a leader does not contest an election himself, they get the opportunity to work freely across the entire state. So, certainly, whatever his decision is, it might be of this nature, and we do not have to comment on it," he said.