Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Akhilesh Yadav Renames BJP, Rejects Claims of SP Split
Akhilesh Yadav argued with leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party about the meaning of a political slogan.
He jokingly gave the BJP a new phrase meaning “Run away to Pakistan.”
He said PDA means love, kindness and belonging, and that these ideas would make his party stronger.
Yadav also said the Samajwadi Party would not break apart.
Other politicians disagreed and predicted that some SP lawmakers might leave.
Mayawati said the SP had damaged alliances in the past.
Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh government over security, schools and economic promises.
He also discussed how many seats the Rashtriya Lok Dal should receive from the BJP.
Akhilesh Yadav called BJP “Bhag Jao Pakistan” while responding to Yogi Adityanath’s comments about the “P” in PDA.
Yadav said PDA also means “Pyar, Daya aur Apnapan” and predicted a future historic government led by the Samajwadi Party.
He rejected claims that the Samajwadi Party could split, saying the party had not divided in the past and would not do so.
Mayawati accused the Samajwadi Party of breaking alliances, while OP Rajbhar and Keshav Prasad Maurya predicted defections by several SP MPs.
Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh government over security arrangements, alleged police action, education, economic claims and seat allocation for the Rashtriya Lok Dal.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Mayawati, OP Rajbhar and Keshav Prasad Maurya.
- What
- Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party and rejected claims that the Samajwadi Party would split.
- When
- Yadav made the remarks on Saturday; the comments he responded to from Yogi Adityanath were made on Friday.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, at a press conference whose specific city was not stated.
- Why
- The remarks followed political criticism over the meaning of PDA, alleged SP defections, alliances and Uttar Pradesh government decisions.
Samajwadi Party’s Position
Critics’ Position
Whether the SP will split
Samajwadi Party’s Position
Akhilesh Yadav said the Samajwadi Party has not split before and will not split, arguing that its MPs and ideological groups remain connected.
Critics’ Position
OP Rajbhar and Keshav Prasad Maurya claimed that several SP MPs, potentially including 25 to 26 lawmakers, could leave the party.
Alliance record
Samajwadi Party’s Position
Yadav said the SP does not break alliances and that it does not leave partners; according to him, other parties have left.
Critics’ Position
Mayawati said the SP’s arrogant attitude caused the SP-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance to break twice and accused the SP of using alliances for its own benefit.
Meaning of PDA
Samajwadi Party’s Position
Yadav said PDA represents “Pyar, Daya aur Apnapan” and that unity through these values would strengthen the SP.
Critics’ Position
Yogi Adityanath said the “P” in PDA could eventually be defined as “Pakistan,” after previously being described as “backward” or “Pandit.”
- Speaker
- Akhilesh Yadav, national president of the Samajwadi Party
- New BJP phrase
- Yadav said BJP means “Bhag Jao Pakistan.”
- Yadav’s PDA interpretation
- “Pyar, Daya aur Apnapan,” translated in the article as love, kindness and belonging
- Security announcement
- The Uttar Pradesh government said 52 leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati, received bulletproof jackets.
- Predicted defections
- Keshav Prasad Maurya said 25 to 26 SP MPs could leave, while OP Rajbhar said most SP MPs from Purvanchal might leave.
- Rashtriya Lok Dal seats
- Yadav said the SP had given the RLD 30 seats and suggested the BJP should give it four times that number.
- Economic claim criticized
- Yadav questioned claims involving a $1 trillion state economy, ethanol profits and free food for 15 crore people.