‘Azam, Atiq And Mukhtar Ran Akhilesh’s Government’: Posters Target SP In Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: The political atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh has started heating up before the 2027 assembly elections. Posters have been put up in many cities including Lucknow targeting Samajwadi Party and party president Akhilesh Yadav. In these posters, questions have been raised about the previous tenure of the SP government through the names of Atiq Ahmed, Mukhtar Ansari and Azam Khan. On one poster it is written, 'Azam, Atiq and Mukhtar, this is what ran the government', while on the other poster slogans like 'Akhilesh ke mafia, mafia ke Akhilesh' are written. Many names related to different districts have also been given in the posters. Official information about who got these installed has not been revealed yet.

In which areas were the posters put up?

The matter came into discussion after pictures of these posters surfaced on social media. Apart from Lucknow, there are reports of posters being put up in many places including Unnao, Etawah, Sitapur, Bareilly, Meerut, Azamgarh, Ghazipur and Moradabad. The focus of the posters has been kept on a single issue. During Akhilesh Yadav's tenure as Chief Minister, an attempt has been made to bring old cases related to law and order situation and crime in the state into the political debate.

Which names were used in the posters?

Many famous names related to different areas of Purvanchal and Western Uttar Pradesh have been written in the posters. Apart from Atiq Ahmed, Mukhtar Ansari and Azam Khan, some other people are also mentioned. An attempt has been made to link these names to different areas through slogans like ‘One District, One Mafia’. However, the allegations made in the poster are part of a political message and it has not been confirmed yet who is behind them.

What did SP workers do in Moradabad?

After the posters surfaced in Moradabad, local leaders and workers of Samajwadi Party became active. Party workers removed posters from some places. SP leaders protested, calling it political propaganda. He says that instead of discussing inflation, unemployment and other issues in the state, a political atmosphere is being created by raising old issues. The party has also raised a demand to identify those who put up the posters.

Who are the people putting up the posters?

The biggest question is who put up posters with similar messages in so many cities. At present, no political party or organisation has publicly taken responsibility for these posters. Even on the posters, no clear name of any organisation or person has been given. In such a situation, political allegations and counter-allegations have definitely started regarding these, but official confirmation is awaited about who got them prepared and on whose instructions they were installed.

Why did postering increase before the elections?

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are to be held in 2027. There is still time for elections, but tussle between political parties on issues is already visible. In the latest posters, issues related to SP's old rule and law and order have been highlighted. On the other hand, SP leaders are calling it a political attack. In the coming months, all parties will keep an eye on how issues like old tenure, law and order and crime make their way into electoral politics.