Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav invoked "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", or the world is one family, and questioned the claims of those practising divisive politics.
Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav. (File Photo- PTI)
Lucknow,Oct 21, 2026 21:56 IST
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said those who discriminate, lie and divide people cannot be called Sanatani, in a veiled attack on the BJP.
Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav invoked “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, or the world is one family, and questioned the claims of those practising divisive politics.
“The sun is Sanatani. The wind does not discriminate against anyone. Those who discriminate, do not speak the truth, do not love others and divide people cannot be Sanatani,” he said.
Yadav also accused the BJP of relying on electoral manipulation and urged voters to back SP candidates in the October 23 graduate and teacher constituency elections to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.
“The BJP itself is the real crisis. The crisis will end only when the BJP is removed,” he said.
AKHILESH WARNS OFFICIALS OVER POLL MALPRACTICE
Yadav appealed to the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls and asked officials to remain impartial, according to PTI.
“If they act as political workers, they should be prepared to go to jail,” he said.
He accused basic education officers and district inspectors of schools of threatening voters over the phone in areas going to the polls. He asked teachers, school managements and others receiving such calls to record them and share the evidence with the SP.
Yadav said officials involved in electoral malpractice would be held accountable if his party came to power. He also referred to alleged irregularities in transfers, postings and other education department matters.
The SP chief questioned how BJP leaders and ministers were sending voice messages to voters when, he claimed, electoral rolls were not readily available to others.
“How have voter lists reached ministers? They must have hired a company, which may have recorded their voices and sent the messages. Voice messages can be sent only when you have the data,” he alleged.
FULL TEACHER STATUS FOR SHIKSHA MITRAS
Yadav promised to work towards granting full teacher status and government benefits to shiksha mitras, or ad hoc primary teachers, if the SP returned to power.
He said a separate budgetary provision would be made without affecting the jobs of existing teachers. Asked what the beneficiaries would be called, he said the decision would be taken after forming the government, suggesting “Samajwadi teachers” as a possible name.
Yadav accused the BJP of leaving the arrangement for shiksha mitras incomplete. He also alleged that the government was closing schools and did not want people from the PDA communities, Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak, to become educated and socially empowered.
Asked whether he would meet senior SP leader Azam Khan and his family during his proposed visit to Rampur on Thursday, Yadav said they had faced injustice and discrimination under the BJP government.
“The Samajwadi Party has consistently worked to secure justice for them and will continue to do so in the future,” he said.
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