Shivpal Yadav accuses BJP of trying to turn 2027 UP polls into 'Hindu-Muslim contest'

Samajwadi Party general secretary Shivpal Yadav on Wednesday alleged that the BJP wants to turn the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election into a Hindu-Muslim contest, saying his party would instead keep its focus on development and social justice.

Speaking to reporters while travelling from Azamgarh to Deoria, Yadav said the BJP habitually diverts attention from real issues by making elections about religion. "The BJP wants every election to become a Hindu-Muslim contest to divert people's attention from real issues. But we will not be distracted and will remain focused on development and social justice," he said.

Yadav said the SP would continue raising concerns of backward classes, Dalits and minorities, and without naming the BJP directly, said those who discriminate on the basis of caste and religion should be "taught a lesson" in 2027.

On bulldozer actions carried out across the state, Yadav alleged the government was deliberately targeting minorities and backward classes to divert attention from core issues. He further alleged that preventing opposition leaders from meeting affected families amounted to an attack on democracy, and said the SP would stand with those facing injustice.

Yadav claimed people's problems had worsened under the current government, citing alleged fertiliser shortages, power-related issues and inadequate water supply in canals, along with rising inflation, unemployment and corruption. On jailed SP leader Azam Khan, he alleged the government was implicating him in "small and false cases."

SP MP from Ghosi, Rajeev Rai, separately accused the BJP of using Hindutva to create religious polarisation for political gains, and levelled allegations against the party over donations received for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.