Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 22 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “directly colluding” with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to "steal votes."
Yadav made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Rampur after meeting party leader Azam Khan at the district jail. Following the jail visit, the SP supremo also visited Khan's residence to meet his family, including his wife, Tazeen Fatma.
Targeting the BJP over governance and institutional integrity, Yadav alleged that the ruling party lacks an understanding of education and relies on malpractice to win elections.
"The BJP has a fundamentally antagonistic relationship, a complete mismatch, with knowledge and education... People in the BJP are effectively at zero in this regard. That is precisely why they align themselves with corrupt officials, as evidenced by the fact that they were also recently caught stealing votes," Yadav said.
Reiterating his long-standing criticism of the ECI, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, "Ever since 2022, the Samajwadi Party has been alleging that the Election Commission is in cahoots with the BJP. Today, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Election Commission is, in fact, directly colluding with the BJP."
When asked whether his meeting with Khan included deliberations on seat-sharing and alliances for the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Yadav confirmed that detailed political discussions had taken place.
"I had a very long conversation with him... We received a substantial list concerning the elections from our alliance partners; I have brought that very list with me for this discussion," the SP chief stated.
Providing an update on the senior leader's health condition behind bars, Yadav noted that while Khan's physical condition has shown improvement, the toll of imprisonment remains heavy.
"His health has improved, though the hardships of prison life will inevitably persist," Yadav said, adding, "I am actually on my way to see his family right now... They are like family, and this is certainly not the first time someone has reached out within that family circle."
Immediately following his interaction with the media, Yadav proceeded to Khan's residence in Rampur and spent time with SP MP Tazeen Fatma and other family members to express his solidarity.
Yadav’s visit comes as Uttar Pradesh will hold the next Assembly elections in 2027, with a major contest expected between the two most prominent parties, Bharatiya Janata Party and Samajwadi Party.
In the current session, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly has 403 elected members, 258 of whom are from the Bharatiya Janata Party, 107 from the Samajwadi Party, and 13 from the Apna Dal.
Congress, in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, is looking to make a comeback in Uttar Pradesh and is eyeing a win in the 2027 elections. (ANI)
"Election Comission in cahoots with BJP": Akhilesh Yadav alleges Vote Chori
