Uttar Pradesh Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief O.P. Rajbhar on Sunday, 8 November 2026, launched a pointed political salvo at Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, urging him to bring his 'elder brother from Delhi' — a thinly veiled reference to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi — when he visits the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in December. Rajbhar also demanded that Yadav seek forgiveness for the alleged 1990 firing on kar sevaks during a previous SP government.

The 'Elder Brother' Jibe at Rahul Gandhi

Taking to X, Rajbhar directed a sharp remark at both Yadav and Gandhi. 'Akhilesh ji, now that you are talking about visiting Ayodhya to seek the blessings of Ram Lalla, you should take your elder brother from Delhi along with you. After all, it was his mother and his party who described Lord Shri Ram as a mythical figure,' he wrote. Rajbhar added: 'On the way, make sure to tell him to see Ayodhya with his own eyes,' asserting that Lord Ram is 'not a figment of imagination.'

He further pressed Yadav to tell Gandhi that he 'will no longer carry the burden of the Congress party's historical mistakes,' and urged both leaders to 'bow your head before Ram Lalla and atone for the errors committed by your predecessors.'

Demand for Apology Over 1990 Kar Sevak Firing

Beyond the Congress jibe, Rajbhar levelled a direct accusation against Yadav's own party. 'Akhilesh Bhai, this is not only about your elder brother. When you visit Ram Lalla, you should also seek forgiveness from the souls of the revered kar sevaks on whom your Samajwadi Party government had ordered firing,' he stated. The 1990 incident, in which kar sevaks were allegedly fired upon during the Ram Mandir movement, has been a recurring political flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar's remarks place it back at the centre of the state's temple politics ahead of Yadav's planned December visit.

Appeasement Politics Charge Against Akhilesh

Reiterating a familiar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-allied attack line, Rajbhar accused the SP chief of spending his political career in 'appeasement politics.' 'In the pursuit of Muslim votes, you wore many caps yourself and made Muslims wear many metaphorical caps as well. A large part of your life passed in this political drama. If, in the end, you had to come under the shelter of Lord Shri Ram anyway, why did it take you so long, brother?' he said. Notably, this framing follows a broader NDA strategy in Uttar Pradesh of characterising the SP's outreach to Hindutva landmarks as belated and electorally motivated.

A Conditional Welcome and Deepotsav Invite

Despite the sharp tone, Rajbhar struck a conciliatory note at the end, welcoming Yadav's upcoming Ram Temple visit. 'Nevertheless, better late than never. Your decision to visit Ram Lalla is welcome. Go and seek his blessings. Perhaps upon reaching the sacred land of Ayodhya, you may see some truths that rise above politics,' he said. He also extended Diwali greetings to the SP chief and invited him to attend next year's Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya, asserting that the event would continue to be a grand affair. 'Millions of lamps will be lit, Ayodhya will shine brightly again, and the world will witness the splendour of Ram Lalla's city,' he said, pushing back against suggestions that this year's Deepotsav was the last of its scale.

Political Context

Akhilesh Yadav's planned December visit to the Ayodhya Ram Temple is widely seen as a strategic move by the SP ahead of the Uttar Pradesh political cycle, as opposition parties recalibrate their approach to Hindu sentiment. Rajbhar, a key NDA ally in the state, used the occasion to sharpen the BJP bloc's narrative — tying the SP to past acts critics describe as anti-Hindu, and linking the Congress to what he characterised as historical dismissal of Ram. The remarks underscore how Ayodhya remains a live political battleground well beyond the temple's inauguration.