Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Tuesday, 10 November launched a sharp political broadside against the Samajwadi Party (SP), declaring that the opposition party's ambition of reclaiming power in Uttar Pradesh would never materialise. His remarks came in Lucknow and appeared to be a direct response to recent statements by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Pathak's Charges Against the SP Regime

Pathak accused the previous SP government of presiding over what he described as a state of near-total lawlessness. “The Samajwadi Party’s dream will never be fulfilled. Those who gave Uttar Pradesh ‘one district, one mafia’ and allowed goons, mafias and criminals to flourish in every household are now chanting ‘Ram Ram’ with religious beads around their necks,” he said, speaking to reporters.

He further alleged that women and daughters were disrespected during the SP tenure and that criminals had targeted them “with evil intentions.” By contrast, Pathak argued, the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government had ensured that mafias operating across the state were brought to justice.

The Ayodhya Barb

Pathak also took aim at what he called the SP’s shifting stance on Ayodhya and Lord Ram. “At least the Samajwadi Party has started taking the name of Ayodhya Dham. These are the same people who used to feel uncomfortable with the name of Ayodhya Dham and Lord Ram,” he said. The remark was widely read as an attempt to corner the SP on the politically sensitive issue of religious identity ahead of the next state electoral cycle.

Direct Reply to Akhilesh Yadav

Responding specifically to a recent statement by SP president Akhilesh Yadav, Pathak was unambiguous. “They will never come to power. There is no possibility of that, and their dreams will never be fulfilled. They can certainly dream of going to Saifai and watching a dance performance when their government is formed,” he said, in a pointed reference to the SP patriarch’s home turf in Etawah district.

Pathak on Electoral Roll Revision

Separately, Pathak addressed the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, distancing the government from operational responsibility. “I repeatedly say that the SIR is the responsibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI). It is the Commission’s duty to visit every household and ensure that the names of all voters are included under all circumstances, without any negligence. And if any mistakes have been made anywhere, action should be taken against those responsible,” he said, adding that political parties’ role was limited to assisting officials.

The remarks signal an intensifying war of words between the ruling BJP and the SP as both parties position themselves well ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.