Lucknow

Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday mocked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the BJP’s march in support of the women’s reservation amendment bill, calling it a rehearsal for the party’s future in the Opposition.

Addressing reporters in Lucknow, Yadav said the ‘padyatra’ showed the ruling party was preparing itself for life outside power. He remarked that it was unusual for a government to practice acting like the Opposition while still in office.

Earlier in the day, the BJP’s ‘Jan Aakrosh Mahila Padyatra’ began from Adityanath’s official residence on Kalidas Marg and concluded at the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

Yadav also criticised the BJP over its handling of the constitutional amendment bill related to women’s reservation and expansion of Lok Sabha seats, saying no government had struggled so much to pass and defend legislation of its own making.

Projecting the Samajwadi Party strategy for future elections, he again highlighted the PDA formula — referring to backward classes, Dalits and minorities — and claimed this social coalition would decisively challenge the BJP.

According to him, communities united by common concerns and hardships would come together politically and defeat the ruling party. He added that such an alliance could pave the way for a government based on social justice.

Calling the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in Parliament a major democratic moment, Yadav thanked voters and leaders of the INDIA bloc for opposing the measure. He said the result was not only a democratic victory but also a setback for the BJP.

Reaffirming his party’s stand, Yadav said the Samajwadi Party has always supported reservation for women and accused the BJP of trying to delay genuine implementation.

He further alleged that the ruling party was reluctant to conduct a caste census because it feared that once communities were counted, demands for rights and reservation would intensify.

In another attack, Yadav claimed those sworn to uphold the Constitution were now taking to the streets with political motives, and alleged that the public had recognised their intentions.

Drawing a controversial comparison with propaganda tactics of past authoritarian regimes, he accused the BJP of misleading the public, but said people had now understood the reality.

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He also criticised the state government over women’s safety, alleging that crimes against women remained a serious concern in Uttar Pradesh and that public services such as helplines and ambulance systems had weakened.