Mayawati Terms SP's PDA Formula 'Political Deception', Criticizes...

By GT24x7 Reporter · 2 October 2026 · GlobalToday24x7

Mayawati Challenges Samajwadi Party's PDA Slogan Over Rajya Sabha Nominations

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) National President Mayawati launched a direct political attack on Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav on October 2, 2026, characterizing the SP’s social outreach platform "PDA" (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpasankhyak) as a "political sham and deception." Pointing to the Samajwadi Party’s recent candidate nominations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati alleged that despite soliciting votes from marginalized and backward communities, the party consistently allocates legislative and parliamentary tickets to dynastic family members and corporate capitalists.

Allegations of Dynastic Bias, Money Power, and Political Inconsistency

In a detailed statement published on social media platform X, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister highlighted the nomination of senior leader Ram Gopal Yadav, whom she identified as a close family relative of party leadership, alongside corporate executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, who is associated with a prominent national industrial house. Mayawati contended that these nominations demonstrate a disconnect between the SP's public posture on social justice and its actual candidate selection process. She asserted that the SP relies heavily on money power and dynastic connections during elections, whereas the BSP refrains from fielding family members or corporate figures. According to Mayawati, the BSP prioritizes grass-root, Ambedkarite organizers drawn from poor, middle-class, and marginalized backgrounds across all social segments.

Addressing voters across Uttar Pradesh ahead of the state assembly elections, Mayawati urged marginalized communities—including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Most Backward Classes (MBCs), religious minorities, and economically weaker sections among upper castes—to remain cautious of the SP's political messaging. She stated that the true socio-political interests of these groups remain protected exclusively under the BSP framework. Regarding rumors of a potential third Rajya Sabha candidate from the SP, Mayawati described the move as a likely "face-saving" attempt intended for an unviable contest.

Rebuttal from Samajwadi Party and Wider Political Context

Leaders from the Samajwadi Party firmly rejected Mayawati’s allegations, defending their nomination choices as strategically sound decisions aimed at maximizing parliamentary representation and strengthening opposition unity. SP representatives emphasized that the PDA framework represents an inclusive political coalition committed to advancing social justice, educational access, and economic empowerment for backward classes, Dalits, and minorities across Uttar Pradesh. Party officials maintained that their legislative candidates reflect diverse professional and social backgrounds necessary to challenge the ruling coalition effectively.

Political analysts view this verbal confrontation as a sign of intensifying competition between the BSP and SP for key electoral demographics in Uttar Pradesh. Ever since the breakdown of their historic political alliance in 1993, both parties have actively contested for the support of Dalit, backward class, and minority voters. While the SP seeks to consolidate these groups under the broader PDA umbrella, the BSP continues to position itself as the sole authentic political voice for Bahujan welfare. Observers note that as regional parties gear up for upcoming electoral cycles, messaging regarding candidate selection and ideological consistency will remain a central point of debate across the state.