Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday, 4 November launched a sharp political offensive against the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, declaring that a 'punctured cycle' — a jibe at the SP's bicycle election symbol — could not run on the state's expressways. Speaking at the BJP's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' march, Nabin expressed full confidence that the BJP would retain power in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The March and Its Scale

Nabin led the march alongside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and state BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary. The party claimed that workers, office-bearers, and supporters from all 12 districts of the Gorakh region participated in the rally. The march was organised as part of the BJP's broader effort to counter the INDIA bloc's campaign against the Election Commission of India (ECI), with party leaders targeting the Opposition over its allegations about the electoral process.

Nabin's Attack on the Samajwadi Party

Addressing the gathering, Nabin used the SP's bicycle symbol as a rhetorical weapon. 'When their tenure came to an end in 2017, everyone knows what they did at their official residence before vacating it. They keep claiming that the cycle will run again. But the cycle has already suffered a puncture. Uttar Pradesh is now identified by its expressways, and a bicycle with a flat tyre cannot possibly travel on an expressway,' he said.

He further alleged that the people of Uttar Pradesh had rejected what he called 'anarchic mindsets', using the term 'Dimagi Naxals' to characterise Opposition leaders. 'The people have already taught a lesson to those with anarchic mindsets. Two things are certain — the BJP-NDA's guaranteed victory in 2027 and the complete wipeout of the Samajwadi Party,' he added.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav

Nabin referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav as two 'yuvrajs' (princes), saying their past actions remained 'firmly etched in the memories of the people of Uttar Pradesh as well as the entire nation.' He also claimed that the Opposition had panicked after witnessing strong public participation in the BJP's march.

'They put all their efforts into organising the rally at Ramlila Maidan, but could not even manage 10 per cent of the turnout they had claimed. This demonstrates the strength of the NDA and the trust people have placed in us,' Nabin said. He further targeted Rahul Gandhi directly, stating, 'No matter how many lies you spread, this is a New India... The 140 crore citizens of this country consider PM Modi both their Pradhan Sevak and their Chowkidar.'

EVM Controversy and Election Commission Row

Nabin also criticised Opposition parties for questioning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and for blaming the Election Commission for their electoral defeats. He alleged that when the ECI openly challenged the Opposition to prove EVM tampering, 'Rahul Gandhi ran away from the field and was never seen again.' He argued that Opposition parties should focus on strengthening grassroots presence rather than questioning institutional processes.

Road to 2027: BJP's Confidence

Recalling his visits to Uttar Pradesh during the 2012, 2017, and 2022 elections, Nabin said he had witnessed the electorate reject Opposition parties on multiple occasions. He also accused the Congress of using the promise of poverty eradication to retain power after Independence while failing to deliver on it. With the 2027 Assembly elections still roughly two years away, Wednesday's march signals that the BJP is moving into campaign mode early, seeking to consolidate its narrative around development and governance against a fragmented Opposition.