Akhilesh Yadav to begin PDA Yatra from Rae Bareli, Rahul Gandhi’s constituency
· India · Indian Express, NDTV
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav will launch his PDA Rath Yatra from Rae Bareli on September 24, 2026, in Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha constituency. The yatra aims to consolidate the SP’s PDA coalition of backwards, Dalits and minorities ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in February 2027. The visit follows alleged assaults on SP’s Chhatra Sabha by ABVP activists at Feroze Gandhi Degree College, which the SP says was inadequately addressed by authorities. SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said the yatra was announced after the manhandling of Chhatra Sabha leaders and poor administrative response. The first phase will travel from Bachhrawan to Harchandpur MLA Rahul Lodhi’s residence before concluding in Rae Bareli city. The full schedule and route of the statewide yatra are yet to be finalised by the SP leadership.
Why it matters
The yatra signals renewed SP-Congress coordination in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls, with seat-sharing talks expected soon. It highlights the INDIA bloc’s effort to strengthen their social coalition in a key battleground state.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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