Lucknow, October 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said his party would welcome leaders from rival camps who are willing to join efforts to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), describing elections as an opportunity to set aside past differences and unite.
Interacting with reporters in Lucknow, Yadav said the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Assembly elections provided an opportunity for opposition parties and leaders to come together.
“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.
Yadav said those who believe that democracy, the Constitution and the country’s economy are facing challenges should join hands ahead of the elections. He cited rising inflation and the blending of E20 ethanol into petrol as issues over which, he said, people had concerns about decisions taken by the Centre.
“If anyone feels that our democracy, our Constitution, and our country’s economy are under attack, due to rising inflation, E20 being blended into petrol — if they believe these are wrong decisions (by the Centre), then…it is a time to come together before the Rajya Sabha and (Assembly) elections. That is why we should forget all bitterness during this time,” he said.
“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,” he added.
Yadav also backed the INDIA bloc’s proposed ‘Save Democracy’ march, calling for unity to protect democratic institutions and the Constitution. His remarks came as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) continued to criticise him for 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,” he said.
The SP chief also criticised the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government over flooding and prolonged waterlogging affecting families living near the Gomti River.
“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. Those who wanted to create smart cities and clean the rivers ended up cleaning out the budget, but the rivers remain uncleaned,” he said.
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Yadav paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting his teachings of truth, non-violence and sacrifice, as well as his contribution to India’s freedom movement.
“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. Today, on his birth anniversary, as we remember Mahatma Gandhi ji’s contributions, we take a resolve to work towards fulfilling his goal — to ensure that the last person, the poorest person, is connected to the mainstream,” he said.
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