Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav has claimed that the ruling BJP is facing growing public discontent in Uttar Pradesh and may be forced to replace candidates in nearly 225 Assembly constituencies ahead of the 2027 state elections.
In a strongly-worded post on X, Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP leadership has lost confidence in a large number of its sitting legislators, particularly in regions where the party suffered setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Claiming that major changes were being planned within the BJP, Akhilesh Yadav said, “I have heard that the BJP is changing its candidates in all the Assembly seats of Allahabad (Prayagraj) because the party feels that its MLAs and leaders were more focused on personal gains while Lok Sabha seats slipped away in 2024.”
The SP chief further asserted that a similar formula was being considered across all 43 Lok Sabha constituencies won by the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in several seats where, according to him, the BJP managed victory despite public opposition.
“This means that candidates may be changed in approximately 225 Assembly seats. It is also being heard that many BJP MLAs themselves are unwilling to contest the next election as they see little hope of defeating the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) alliance,” he said.
Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the BJP’s traditional support base has significantly eroded and that many of its legislators are reluctant to invest resources in what they perceive as a losing battle.
The SP president attributed the alleged anti-incumbency against the BJP to issues such as inflation, unemployment, corruption, law and order concerns, paper leaks, crimes against women, and what he termed attacks on constitutional values and reservation rights.
“Current BJP MLAs have understood the extent of public anger. The BJP government’s policies have led to widespread resentment among people,” Akhilesh Yadav said, listing allegations ranging from corruption and extortion to favouritism and injustice.
The BJP, however, dismissed the SP leader’s claims and advised him to focus on his own party’s affairs.
Senior BJP leader and MLC Vijay Bahadur Pathak said the BJP continued to enjoy strong public support and pointed to the party’s recent electoral performances in states such as Bihar, Assam and West Bengal.
“It is entirely BJP’s internal matter whom the party chooses to field in elections. Akhilesh Yadav should avoid making statements based on hearsay, as it only reflects political immaturity,” Pathak said.
He also questioned the SP chief on the future of the INDIA alliance in Uttar Pradesh and seat-sharing arrangements with the Congress.
“Instead of speculating about BJP candidates, the Samajwadi Party should first clarify whether it will contest the 2027 Assembly elections as part of the INDIA alliance and how many seats it intends to share with the Congress,” he said.
Pathak maintained that the BJP would return to power in Uttar Pradesh for a third consecutive term and alleged that such statements by Akhilesh Yadav would not influence voters.