BJP putting up 'fake' posters to create rift in INDIA bloc, claims Akhilesh Yadav

BJP putting up 'fake' posters to create rift in INDIA bloc, claims Akhilesh Yadav left Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav addresses a press conference. File PTI PTI https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/ql5a3i/article71623610.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/PTI10_16_2026_000176B.jpg Nand Kumar Singh Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav addresses a press conference at the party office, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (PTI Photo/Nand Kumar)(PTI10_16_2026_000176B)

The remarks followed after posters and hoardings with the slogan "200 seat haq hai hamara, UP ko hai Rahul Gandhi par bharosa" appeared in Lucknow and other districts

Lucknow

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday (October 25, 2026) accused the BJP of putting up "fake" posters to create differences within the opposition INDIA bloc, and demanded action against municipal officials for allegedly allowing their display without the payment of the prescribed fees.

https://www.thehindu.com/topic/samajwadi-party/ https://www.thehindu.com/topic/bharatiya-janata-party/

Claiming that the BJP is worried about the opposition alliance, Mr. Yadav said in an X post that the posters have been put up without official permission or payment of the requisite charges.

Election Commission sought explanation from officials as goof-up in voter list went viral Election Commission sought explanation from officials as goof-up in voter list went viral "There is a possibility of mistakes when doing any work for the first time. Out of 14,81,310 entries in the voter list, there are a total of 158 entries in which the names of the voters or their relatives appear strange. The strangeness of these names is due to such a mistake," says statement released by Chief Electoral Officer, Uttar Pradesh Election Commission sought explanation from officials as goof-up in voter list went viral storyline 1

The remarks followed after posters and hoardings with the slogan "200 seat haq hai hamara, UP ko hai Rahul Gandhi par bharosa" appeared in Lucknow and other districts, carrying images of Rahul Gandhi and local leaders, with Akhilesh accusing the BJP of putting them up to create a rift in the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance ahead of next year's Uttar Pradesh elections.

https://www.thehindu.com/topic/indian-national-congress/

The posters highlight the Congress' "push" for roughly 200 seats as part of its seat-sharing negotiations with the Samajwadi Party (SP), though not many within the SP are convinced of the former's political heft to demand so many seats, sources said.

Demanding action against the officials concerned, Yadav said the municipal authorities should be suspended for failing to act against those putting up the posters without paying the required fees.

'Unusual' names, details crop up in electoral roll for MLC polls in U.P.; ECI cites software error 'Unusual' names, details crop up in electoral roll for MLC polls in U.P.; ECI cites software error The discrepancies were found in the Allahabad-Jhansi graduates' constituency ahead of polling for 11 MLC seats 'Unusual' names, details crop up in electoral roll for MLC polls in U.P.; ECI cites software error storyline 1

He alleged that the "unauthorised" display of the posters is causing revenue losses to the local bodies, claiming that non-payment of fees could be aimed at concealing the identities of those behind the campaign.

Mr. Yadav also said that the SP is maintaining a date-wise record of such "incidents" and the officials responsible for them.

He also said that if voted to power, the SP-led PDA government would take action against officials involved in corruption, and activate the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Economic Offences Wing to examine their conduct.

PDA is an acronym coined by Yadav that stands for 'Pichhde' (backward classes), Dalits, and 'Alpsankhyak' (minorities).

Amid outcry, poll body orders re-poll at three polling stations under Agra Teachers MLC seat Amid outcry, poll body orders re-poll at three polling stations under Agra Teachers MLC seat The recent developments come amid SP candidate from Agra Division, Teacher's seat, Akash Agarwal, who has alleged extreme harassment of his supporters during the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections on the seat Amid outcry, poll body orders re-poll at three polling stations under Agra Teachers MLC seat storyline 1

Congress' Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam said the INDIA bloc is united and its fight is aimed at protecting social justice, democracy and the Constitution.

In a post on X, Mr. Gautam said the BJP can spread confusion or hatch conspiracies, but it won't be able to break or even harm the opposition alliance.

"The INDIA bloc is united, and it will remain united," he said.

After much dilly-dallying, the Congress has officially initiated seat-sharing talks with the Samajwadi Party for next year's Uttar Pradesh elections, submitting an initial list of more than "175 seats" where the party feels it can make an impression in an alliance.

Uttar Pradesh elections: Samajwadi Party to release election manifesto on November 26 Uttar Pradesh elections: Samajwadi Party to release election manifesto on November 26 It will include separate documents for women, youth and a manifesto on law and order, highlighting party's commitment on these issues apart from focus on social justice and PDA plank Uttar Pradesh elections: Samajwadi Party to release election manifesto on November 26 storyline 1

The list was shared with the Samajwadi Party leaders a couple of days back, Congress' Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam told PTI, adding that the leaders of the two parties will soon hold a detailed discussion on the nature of seat-sharing arrangements.

"I can't give you the exact numbers, but we have submitted a list for 175 to 200 seats," Mr. Gautam told PTI, hinting that the party is open to negotiations ahead of the polls to the 403 Assembly seats in the state.

The party contested the 2022 Uttar Pradesh polls on its own but could win just two seats, faring worse than its seven-seat show in 2017.

The 2024 Lok Sabha poll results, when the Congress won six seats in alliance with the SP that won 37 seats to limit the BJP to 33, have, however, raised the party's hopes, Congress leaders said.