Rajbhar Targets Akhilesh Yadav Over SP’s Rajya Sabha Picks, Questions PDA Strategy

Speaking about the nominations of senior SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav and businessman Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, Rajbhar alleged that Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly altered the meaning and composition of the party's PDA formula.

PDA stands for Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak, referring to backward classes, Dalits and minorities, and has become a central part of the SP's political messaging under Akhilesh Yadav.

Rajbhar took a sarcastic approach to the acronym, saying that the "P" now represented "Parivaar", or family, in an apparent reference to Ram Gopal Yadav.

Ram Gopal Yadav, a veteran SP leader, is a cousin of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav and an uncle of Akhilesh Yadav. He filed his Rajya Sabha nomination alongside Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani on Wednesday in the presence of Akhilesh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav.

Rajbhar also used the "D" in PDA to refer to "Daulat", or wealth, in an apparent reference to Nathwani, whom he described as affluent.

He then alleged that the "A" could be represented by someone facing criminal allegations, turning the acronym into what he mockingly described as "Parivaar, Daulat and Apradhi".

The SBSP leader also accused Akhilesh Yadav of sidelining Muslim leaders within the Samajwadi Party. He claimed that party leaders from the community were being treated as followers rather than given meaningful political representation.

Rajbhar further alleged that Akhilesh Yadav had warned party members against speaking out and threatened them with disciplinary action. He also made a political remark linking Akhilesh Yadav's family to the BJP while criticising the SP leadership.

The Samajwadi Party has presented its Rajya Sabha nominations ahead of the biennial elections for 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar had previously questioned the party's proposed candidate selection on social media, asking whether the nominees would reflect the PDA framework promoted by the SP.

He also questioned whether the SP was attempting to secure a third Rajya Sabha seat despite the risks involved in doing so.

The Election Commission announced on September 22 that biennial elections would be held for 11 Rajya Sabha seats, including 10 in Uttar Pradesh and one in Uttarakhand. Voting is scheduled for October 16, while the terms of the sitting members for these seats are due to expire on November 25.

The poll panel has also announced a by-election for a Rajya Sabha seat in West Bengal.

The upcoming elections will fill the seats being vacated at the end of the current members' terms.