Akhilesh Yadav opens SP doors to rivals: 'Forget past, unite to defeat BJP'
Synopsis
Akhilesh Yadav's 'forget past mistakes' pitch is more than a gesture of goodwill — it is a calculated attempt to paper over cracks in the INDIA bloc ahead of Rajya Sabha and Assembly elections, while keeping pressure on the BJP over inflation, E20 blending, and Gomti flooding. The open-door offer signals the SP knows it cannot go it alone.
Key Takeaways
Akhilesh Yadav on 2 October 2026 invited leaders from rival camps to join the SP , calling elections a time to 'forget past mistakes.' He backed the INDIA bloc's proposed 'Save Democracy' march, despite BJP-NDA criticism over his reported absence from a recent bloc meeting in New Delhi .
Yadav attacked the Yogi Adityanath government over months-long waterlogging along the Gomti River banks.
He cited rising inflation and the Centre's E20 ethanol-blending policy as examples of 'wrong decisions' that necessitate opposition unity.
On Gandhi Jayanti , he pledged to work towards connecting the poorest citizens to the mainstream, invoking Mahatma Gandhi's vision.
Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Friday, 2 October, extended an open invitation to leaders from rival political camps to join his party's anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) front, saying that elections present an opportunity to 'forget past mistakes' and stand together for shared principles. The remarks, made in Lucknow ahead of upcoming Rajya Sabha and state Assembly elections, signal a fresh push by the SP to consolidate opposition ranks.
The Open-Door Offer
Speaking to reporters, Yadav framed political reconciliation in terms of democratic necessity. 'This is the time for Rajya Sabha elections, and elections are a time for coming together. It offers an opportunity to forget past mistakes, stand with others, and stand up for principles,' he said.
He went further, addressing potential defectors and estranged allies directly: 'Those who have been deviated from their path, those of our friends who want to join us — we will forget everything that took place in the past.' The statement is widely seen as an outreach to leaders within the INDIA bloc who have had public differences with the SP in recent months.
Democracy and Constitution Under Threat, Says Yadav
Yadav grounded his unity call in a broader political argument, asserting that the country's democracy, Constitution, and economy are under pressure. He cited rising inflation and the Centre's E20 ethanol-blending policy — which mandates blending 20% ethanol in petrol — as examples of what he called 'wrong decisions.' 'If anyone believes these are wrong decisions by the Centre, then it is a time to come together before the Rajya Sabha and Assembly elections,' he added.
He also backed the INDIA bloc's proposed 'Save Democracy' march, even as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) continues to criticise him for reportedly skipping the opposition alliance's recent meeting in New Delhi. 'Everyone should unite to save democracy. Together, we must come forward to save this beautiful country, its rich history of democracy, and our Constitution,' Yadav said.
Attack on Yogi Government Over Gomti Flooding
The SP chief also launched a sharp attack on the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led state government over persistent waterlogging along the Gomti River banks in Lucknow. 'I am saddened by the fact that many families living along the banks of the Gomti River are facing a crisis. There has been waterlogging in the area for months. This government is asleep,' he said.
Yadav accused the ruling dispensation of misappropriating funds meant for urban development: 'Those who wanted to create smart cities and clean the rivers ended up cleaning out the budget, but the rivers remain uncleaned.' The Gomti flooding issue has drawn repeated criticism from residents and civic groups in recent weeks.
Gandhi Jayanti Tribute
Akhilesh Yadav also marked Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and invoking his ideals of truth, non-violence, and sacrifice. 'Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi ji worked towards fostering goodwill, brotherhood, and mutual love in society, and he forced the British to leave India,' he said, pledging to work towards ensuring that the 'last person, the poorest person, is connected to the mainstream.'
The remarks come at a politically charged moment, with the Uttar Pradesh opposition looking to rebuild momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle. Whether Yadav's outreach translates into concrete alliances remains to be seen.
Point of View
A rebuff to BJP narratives about a divided opposition, and a signal to potential SP defectors that the door remains open. But the optics are complicated — he is urging unity while being publicly criticised for skipping the bloc's own meeting. The Gomti flooding attack is tactically smart, keeping local grievances alive in an election build-up. The deeper question is whether this rhetorical openness produces actual seat-sharing arrangements, or whether it is, as critics have suggested of past SP overtures, a unilateral invitation on Yadav's own terms.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akhilesh Yadav say about welcoming rival leaders into the SP?
Akhilesh Yadav said he would welcome leaders from rival parties who want to join the fight against the BJP, stating that elections are a time to 'forget past mistakes.' He specifically addressed those who have 'deviated from their path' and assured them the SP would look past previous differences.
What is the INDIA bloc's 'Save Democracy' march that Yadav supported?
The 'Save Democracy' march is a proposed opposition initiative under the INDIA bloc umbrella aimed at highlighting what opposition parties describe as threats to democratic institutions and the Constitution. Yadav expressed full support for the march and called on all parties to unite in its cause.
Why did Akhilesh Yadav attack the Yogi Adityanath government over the Gomti River?
Yadav criticised the state government for failing to address persistent waterlogging along the Gomti River banks in Lucknow, saying affected families had been in crisis for months. He accused the ruling dispensation of squandering smart-city and river-cleaning budgets without delivering results.
What is the E20 petrol policy that Yadav criticised?
E20 refers to the Centre's policy of blending 20% ethanol into petrol as part of its biofuel programme. Yadav cited it as an example of a 'wrong decision' by the central government, arguing it burdens consumers and contributes to economic stress.
What was the political context of Yadav's remarks on Gandhi Jayanti?
The remarks came on 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti, giving Yadav a platform to link his unity call to Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of truth, non-violence, and inclusive development. The timing allowed him to combine a political outreach message with a broader appeal to national values ahead of upcoming elections.
