Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Akhilesh Yadav Challenges Adityanath to Contest from Ayodhya
Akhilesh Yadav leads the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.
He challenged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to run for election in Ayodhya.
Yadav also said he plans to visit the Ram temple with party leaders soon.
BJP leaders have criticized him for not having visited the temple.
Yadav said people would judge those involved in the temple donation issue.
At a religious gathering, he spoke about treating everyone equally.
He promised that an SP government would develop Ayodhya and help local people benefit.
He also said women would receive Rs 40,000 each year under an SP government.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav challenged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to contest the upcoming assembly election from Ayodhya.
Yadav said he and party leaders would soon visit the Ram temple for darshan, after arranging a date with party colleague Pawan Pandey.
He accused the BJP of failing to find a new Ayodhya candidate and alleged people would hold those responsible for religious donations accountable.
BJP leaders have criticized Yadav for not visiting the temple and questioned his Hindu devotion; Yadav said the Bhagwat Katha teaches equality and non-discrimination.
Yadav promised that an SP government would develop Ayodhya while benefiting local residents and provide women Rs 40,000 annually.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- What
- Yadav challenged Adityanath to contest the assembly election from Ayodhya and said he would soon visit the Ram temple with party leaders.
- When
- Thursday, October 8; the report says the assembly elections were expected early the following year.
- Where
- Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, at a Shrimad Bhagwat Katha gathering.
- Why
- Yadav said Adityanath should contest from Ayodhya if confident, amid election preparations and political arguments over the Ram temple and its donations.
Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party
BJP leaders
Yadav’s Ram temple visit
Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party
Yadav said he would soon visit the Ram temple with party leaders after arranging a date.
BJP leaders
BJP leaders have faulted Yadav for not visiting the temple despite invitations and alleged this raises questions about his Hindu devotion and reflects appeasement of Muslims.
Ram temple donations
Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party
Yadav said people would hold accountable those who had stolen religious donations and criticized the promise to investigate the matter.
BJP leaders
Yadav referred to Adityanath’s assurance of an investigation; the article does not provide a response from Adityanath or the BJP to Yadav’s accusation.
- Event
- Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Gyan Yagya, an eight-day programme that began the previous Friday.
- Organiser
- Samajwadi Party leader and Ayodhya candidate Tej Narayan Pandey, also known as Pawan Pandey.
- Yadav’s challenge
- He urged Yogi Adityanath to contest the upcoming assembly election from Ayodhya.
- Temple visit
- Yadav said he would ask Pawan Pandey to arrange a date for a visit with party leaders.
- Women’s benefit pledge
- Yadav said an SP government would provide women Rs 40,000 annually.
- Ayodhya development pledge
- Yadav said Ayodhya should be developed as a pilgrimage centre, with local residents benefiting.
- Adityanath’s assembly seat
- He represented Gorakhpur Urban.