Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Akhilesh Yadav invites rivals to unite against BJP before elections
Akhilesh Yadav leads the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.
He said people from other political groups could join his party if they want to help defeat the BJP.
He said elections are a time to forgive old mistakes and work together.
He mentioned worries about democracy, the Constitution, inflation and petrol decisions.
Yadav supported a planned INDIA bloc march called “Save Democracy.”
The BJP-led NDA has criticized him for missing an earlier opposition meeting.
Yadav also said families near the Gomti River have faced flooding and waterlogging for months.
He blamed the Uttar Pradesh government for not solving the problem.
On Gandhi Jayanti, he said Mahatma Gandhi’s lessons included truth, non-violence and helping the poorest people.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said rival-camp leaders willing to defeat the BJP would be welcomed into his party.
Yadav said elections offer an opportunity to forget past mistakes, set aside bitterness and unite around shared principles.
He cited concerns over democracy, the Constitution, inflation and E20 petrol blending as reasons for opposition unity.
Yadav backed the INDIA bloc’s proposed “Save Democracy” march, despite BJP-led NDA criticism of his absence from a recent meeting.
He accused the Uttar Pradesh government of neglecting Gomti River flooding and waterlogging, and remembered Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, rival political leaders, the BJP-led NDA and the Uttar Pradesh government.
- What
- Yadav invited willing rival leaders to join efforts against the BJP, supported an opposition democracy march and criticized flooding management near the Gomti River.
- When
- Friday; his remarks also referenced Gandhi Jayanti and the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Assembly elections.
- Where
- Lucknow and areas along the Gomti River in Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Yadav said opposition forces should unite over concerns about democracy, the Constitution, inflation and decisions by the Centre, while he criticized the state government’s handling of flooding.
Samajwadi Party position
BJP-led NDA position
Opposition unity
Samajwadi Party position
Akhilesh Yadav urged leaders from rival camps to set aside past mistakes and join efforts to defeat the BJP.
BJP-led NDA position
The BJP-led NDA criticized Yadav for skipping the opposition alliance’s recent meeting in New Delhi.
Government performance
Samajwadi Party position
Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh government of being inactive while families near the Gomti River faced flooding and waterlogging, and alleged that budgets were mishandled.
BJP-led NDA position
The article does not provide a response from the Uttar Pradesh government to Yadav’s allegations.
- Political party
- Samajwadi Party
- Party president
- Akhilesh Yadav
- Electoral context
- Rajya Sabha and Assembly elections
- Proposed action
- The INDIA bloc’s “Save Democracy” march
- Issues cited by Yadav
- Democracy, the Constitution, inflation and E20 petrol blending
- Local issue
- Flooding and months-long waterlogging near the Gomti River
- Commemoration
- Gandhi Jayanti