Akhilesh Yadav: BJP is the real crisis, Yogi's chair not safe this time
Synopsis
Akhilesh Yadav didn't just attack the BJP on Wednesday — he declared it the root cause of every problem in Uttar Pradesh. With pointed allegations about voter list misuse, faith exploitation, and a Vikas Dubey reference, the SP chief is clearly in full campaign mode, signalling that the battle for the state’s political future has already begun.
Key Takeaways
Akhilesh Yadav on 21 October 2026 declared CM Yogi Adityanath’s chair ‘not safe’, citing opposition from farmers, Gen Z , and Gen Alpha .
He called the BJP ‘the real crisis’ in Uttar Pradesh , saying the state’s problems would only end with the party’s removal.
Yadav alleged that BJP leaders had accessed voter lists not available to the general public and used them to circulate targeted voice messages.
He accused officials in the Education Department of allegedly intimidating voters and called on the Election Commission of India to act impartially.
Referring to the 2020 Vikas Dubey incident, he alleged the episode had been used to protect the BJP government from political collapse.
He warned government officials allegedly involved in electoral malpractice to ‘prepare to go to jail’ if evidence emerged against them.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh, declaring that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's chair was under threat from farmers, youth, and a growing public backlash against the ruling party. Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav asserted that removing the BJP from power was the only solution to the state's mounting problems.
Yadav's Direct Attack on Yogi Adityanath
The SP chief left little ambiguity about his intent. “Even the Chief Minister’s chair is not safe, because the people are going to take it away from him this time. It is not just the people; farmers are also going to take his chair away. Gen Z is keeping a close watch, and Gen Alpha has also arrived. So, this time, his chair is not going to be safe. They can say anything to save it,” he said.
Yadav framed the BJP not merely as a political rival but as the source of the state’s crises. “The BJP must be removed. The BJP itself is the real crisis. The crisis will end only when the BJP is removed. There is only one crisis, and that is the Bharatiya Janata Party,” he said. The remarks signal an aggressive posturing by the SP ahead of what is widely expected to be a politically charged period in the state.
Vikas Dubey Reference and Allegations of Faith Exploitation
Yadav also accused the BJP of exploiting voters’ religious faith and devotion for political survival. Referring to the 2020 incident involving gangster Vikas Dubey, whose vehicle reportedly overturned while he was being transported by police, he alleged the incident had served as a political lifeline for the government. “Remember, Vikas Dubey’s vehicle did not overturn; they saved the government from collapsing. This show of faith and devotion is being used to protect their government,” he alleged. The BJP has not publicly responded to these specific claims.
Voter List Controversy and Alleged Electoral Malpractice
The SP leader raised pointed questions about the alleged circulation of voice messages targeting voters, questioning how BJP leaders had accessed voter lists that are not publicly available. “Voter lists are not available to everyone, but they are available to all BJP leaders. Voice messages are being sent, and calls are being made. How did the voter lists reach the ministers in the BJP government?” he asked.
He alleged that ministers had engaged a private company to circulate such messages and that officials in the Education Department, including BSAs and DIOSs, were allegedly intimidating voters through phone calls. Yadav called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to remain impartial and urged government officials to discharge their duties without political interference.
Warning to Officials Over Alleged Misconduct
Yadav warned that officials allegedly involved in electoral malpractice could face legal consequences if evidence against them emerged. “If they will be political workers, then they should prepare to go to jail,” he said. He also alleged irregularities in the education sector, including corruption in transfers and postings.
Referring to his earlier remarks during elections in Ayodhya, he reiterated that those responsible for alleged malpractice would eventually face legal action. “No one will save you. Today or tomorrow, whenever there is a change, the law will send them to jail,” he added. This comes amid a broader pattern of pre-election mobilisation by the SP against the BJP’s grip on Uttar Pradesh, which the ruling party has held since 2017.
Point of View
’ he attempts to collapse every governance grievance into a single electoral verdict. The voter-list allegation is the sharpest specific charge, but without documentary evidence it remains an assertion. The Vikas Dubey reference is notable — it resurrects a 2020 controversy at a politically charged moment, suggesting the SP is willing to revisit uncomfortable episodes for the government. Whether farmers and youth actually coalesce around the SP’s narrative, or whether the BJP’s organisational machinery neutralises it, will be the real test when votes are counted.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akhilesh Yadav say about CM Yogi Adityanath’s position?
Akhilesh Yadav claimed on 21 October 2026 that CM Yogi Adityanath’s chair was ‘not safe’ because farmers, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha would collectively bring about a change in Uttar Pradesh. He made these remarks while speaking to reporters in Lucknow.
Why did Akhilesh Yadav call the BJP ‘the real crisis’?
Yadav argued that the BJP was directly responsible for every problem facing Uttar Pradesh, and that removing the party from power was the only way to resolve the state’s crises. He made no distinction between the BJP as a party and the governance failures he cited.
What allegations did Akhilesh Yadav make about voter lists?
Yadav alleged that BJP leaders had obtained voter lists that are not publicly available to everyone and used them to send targeted voice messages and calls to voters. He also alleged that Education Department officials were making phone calls to intimidate voters and called on the Election Commission of India to act impartially.
Why did Akhilesh Yadav reference the Vikas Dubey incident?
Yadav cited the 2020 incident in which gangster Vikas Dubey’s vehicle reportedly overturned while being transported by police, alleging it had politically benefited the BJP government. He claimed the episode helped the government avert a political crisis and was part of a broader pattern of exploiting public faith and devotion.
What warning did Akhilesh Yadav issue to government officials?
Yadav warned that government officials allegedly engaged in electoral malpractice — including those in the Education Department — could face legal consequences if evidence emerged against them. He said, ‘If they will be political workers, then they should prepare to go to jail.’
