BALLIA: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has ignited a political storm after referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as an “infiltrator” and suggesting he should be “sent back to Uttarakhand.” The remark was made during a public address in Ballia as part of the party’s outreach ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Yadav questioned the Chief Minister’s claim to Uttar Pradesh nativity, implying that his origins in Uttarakhand make him an outsider in state politics. Observers viewed the statement as a sharp counter to the BJP’s frequent labeling of Muslims and other communities as “infiltrators.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party reacted swiftly, condemning Yadav’s statement as divisive and disrespectful. Party leaders defended Adityanath, highlighting his long political association with Gorakhpur, where he has been elected multiple times, and his influential role in both politics and religious affairs in the region.
BJP spokespersons accused the Samajwadi Party of resorting to personal attacks and regional politics out of frustration and lack of a development-focused agenda.
The exchange reflects rising political tensions in Uttar Pradesh as parties intensify campaigning for the national polls. Analysts say such rhetoric underscores how regional and religious identity is being used to shape electoral narratives and voter sentiment in a deeply polarized environment.
