BJP to launch statewide Tiranga Yatra to counter SP’s ‘PDA Pathshala’ ahead of Independence Day

In a strategic political move ahead of Independence Day, the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch a large-scale ‘Tiranga Yatra’ campaign across the state from August 10 to 15, an initiative seen as a direct response to Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav’s much-talked-about ‘PDA Pathshala.’

According to sources within the BJP, formal instructions have been dispatched to regional heads, district-level in-charges, and presidents, directing them to host flag-hoisting events at all polling booths. Children will actively participate in the events during the national celebrations, with the drive intended as a symbolic counter to the SP’s outreach to younger demographics through its PDA Pathshalas.

Advertisement

The BJP has set an ambitious goal to hoist a minimum of 500 Indian flags at each of the 1.6 lakh polling booths across the state. The campaign is being coordinated by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and the party’s women’s wing.

A senior party official noted that this initiative will be especially emphasized in areas where SP’s PDA Pathshalas have already been introduced. “We will counter the opposition’s caste-based politics with our message of nationalism,” he stated, adding that BJYM teams will reach out to students in schools and colleges statewide.

Additionally, the internal communication sent to BJP leaders also highlighted the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’—a military response carried out in May following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that resulted in 26 deaths. The letter described the operation as a symbol of national pride under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and underscored the emergence of a stronger, self-reliant India.

BJP’s state spokesperson Avneesh Tyagi remarked, “For BJP workers, the nation always comes first. The success of Operation Sindoor is proof. Just as PM Modi responded to Pakistan’s terrorism, every traitor — inside or outside India — will be dealt with accordingly.”

This move by the BJP comes shortly after SP leader Farhad Alam initiated a PDA Pathshala in Saharanpur. Reports from the site indicated that children were taught an alphabet series that included ‘A’ for Akhilesh Yadav, ‘B’ for Babasaheb Ambedkar, ‘C’ for Chaudhary Charan Singh, ‘D’ for Dimple Yadav, and ‘M’ for Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The BJP had earlier responded sharply, with state president Bhupendra Chaudhary branding the initiative as “socialist brainwashing,” and accusing the SP of poisoning the minds of young children with political messaging.

Political analysts suggest that the BJP’s decision to engage children in its Tiranga campaign is a tactically crafted rebuttal. The effort is aimed at repositioning the party’s image—from being seen through a caste-based lens to one centered on nationalism and patriotic pride. Furthermore, the target of flag-hoisting at every booth is also interpreted as a step toward reinforcing the BJP’s highly detailed, booth-level electoral strategy.