States » NorthPosted at: Oct 8 2026 7:16PM


Akhilesh Yadav challenges Yogi to contest from Ayodhya

Ayodhya, Oct 8 (UNI) Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday challenged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to contest the coming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh from Ayodhya.
"Ever since we have started announcing our assembly candidates, the BJP has been conducting survey after survey. They're lagging behind in every survey. They can't find a candidate in Ayodhya," he claimed .
Akhilesh Yadav said, if the Chief Minister who makes big claims is so confident, then he should contest the elections from Ayodhya himself.
Akhilesh Yadav had come to Krishnapur Khanpur Rasulabad, the ancestral village of former state minister Tej Narayan Pandey alias Pawan Pandey, to attend the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha on Thursday.
However, he did not visit the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi, located just 30 km from the venue.
The SP President said, "This time, not only the people of Ayodhya, but the entire country will not spare those who steal religion and wealth."
Akhilesh Yadav said, "I assure you that when the SP government is formed in the future, we will work to accelerate the city of Ayodhya's development to an international level. The people of Ayodhya have been unhappy and faced hardships from time to time. They have faced discrimination and injustice."
He said "When we all sat among the people of Ayodhya, we learned how their homes had been destroyed. We assure these people that they will not face any discrimination in the future, when the Samajwadi Party forms the government. Their homes will not be demolished. We will provide them with a market. We assure that after forming the government, we will ensure that the full benefit of Ayodhya's development goes to the people of Ayodhya and not to outsiders."
Akhilesh Yadav said, "The Bhagwat Katha also offers lessons for our officials. Power agencies should learn that the Sudarshan Chakra is meant to protect noble people, not to intimidate them. The government and officials should also learn from this. Power is meant to be used wisely."
"Today's rulers and the Election Commission should learn from Lord Krishna that power is achieved not through deceit but through love and public opinion. Krishna never attempted to usurp the throne of Hastinapur through deceit. He stood for dharma and secured justice for the Pandavas," he said.
"Today, when power is becoming cruel, the Bhagwat Katha says that the first condition of governance should be mercy."
Akhilesh Yadav said, "This is holy land, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram. I was thinking about what I would present to you when I arrive in Ayodhya. A democratic election is about to take place between us and you. The election date is still some time away. When the election is held, the time will come for us and you to make a decision."
"All of us have been given the opportunity to participate in this Bhagwat Katha. Yesterday, it rained and a storm threatened to prevent the event from taking place. Even God tests us from time to time," he said.
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