Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Congress leaders sharpen their political strategies
June 17, 2026: Political activity intensified across Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday as major parties stepped up preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a fresh attack on the Samajwadi Party, claiming riots were frequent before 2017 but asserting that there is now no space for rioters in the state. At the same time, the Samajwadi Party organized a major gathering of Brahmin leaders, including current and former MPs and MLAs, using the birth anniversary of Janeshwar Mishra as an opportunity to strengthen outreach efforts.
The Congress also entered the political debate, with leader Anshu Awasthi accusing the BJP government of neglecting the Brahmin community and alleging that more than 1,000 Brahmins had been killed over the past decade. Meanwhile, Mayawati reviewed election preparations and instructed party workers to expand support among OBC communities while promoting BSP policies more aggressively ahead of the polls.
Political tensions were further fueled by the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged donation irregularities linked to the Ayodhya Ram Temple. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is expected to address the issue and discuss possible alliance strategies during a press conference. The SIT investigating the case questioned more than 40 bank employees and continued collecting evidence, while a complaint seeking an FIR raised concerns over the probe’s independence. UP Congress president Ajay Rai demanded a time-bound inquiry by a High Court judge, whereas minister Om Prakash Rajbhar defended the temple trust and criticized opposition allegations. Separately, minister Jaiveer Singh paid tribute to Maharana Pratap on his birth anniversary in Lucknow.