Akhilesh Yadav intensifies attack on BJP over ‘PDA’ politics, cites fear of electoral backlash

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday, stepping up his criticism of the BJP, accused the saffron party’s leadership of being “gripped by fear and frustration” following recent electoral setbacks and the growing prominence of the “PDA” political narrative in Uttar Pradesh.

‎In a message posted on his WhatsApp channel, Yadav said BJP leaders appear unable to escape references to the term. “BJP members seem to see only ‘PDA’ whether they are asleep or awake, and they hear only ‘PDA’ everywhere,” he wrote, suggesting that the ruling party is unsettled by its rising resonance in political discourse.
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Linking the alleged unease to electoral outcomes, Yadav said that the BJP’s recent performance has triggered internal anxiety about future contests. “Frustrated by their defeat in the Lok Sabha elections and fearing the prospects of being ousted from power in the upcoming assembly elections — and then having to face punishment for their misdeeds — they have started trembling at the very mention of PDA,” he said.
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The Samajwadi Party leader also accused the BJP of targeting marginalised communities and pursuing divisive politics. “Those who are uncomfortable even with the shadow of PDA must find it difficult to even utter the term,” he said. “Those who order bulldozers to be run over the huts of PDA communities, who attack people’s dignity in the name of divisive politics, and who engage in acts of humiliation should remain silent on public platforms.”
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In another pointed remark, Yadav appeared to allude to perceived internal discipline within the BJP. “Let us see whether, two days from now, they are even given a chance to speak on a big stage, or whether they are punished for not showing proper deference and made to sit far away on a plastic chair,” he said.

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‎The term “PDA,” used by the Samajwadi Party, refers to a political coalition of backward classes, Dalits and minorities, which the party has been actively promoting as part of its electoral strategy in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP has previously rejected such formulations, arguing these are attempts at consolidating caste-based vote banks.
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Yadav further emphasised what he described as the relationship between intent and expression. “There is a deep connection between one’s thoughts and one’s speech. A person with ill intent in their mind will inevitably speak ill as well,” he said.

‎The exchange adds to increasingly sharp political rhetoric between the two parties as they gear up for upcoming electoral battles, with identity politics and governance narratives continuing to dominate the debate in Uttar Pradesh.