By Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has accepted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s challenge to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from Ayodhya, turning the political exchange into a direct test of strength between the two leaders. Speaking at a public meeting in Balrampur on Saturday, Adityanath invited Yadav to contest from the same constituency, saying both should face each other rather than leave the fight to their supporters.
The remarks came days after Yadav questioned Adityanath’s repeated visits to Ayodhya and challenged him to contest from the temple town in the next Assembly elections. Adityanath, who currently represents Gorakhpur Urban in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, responded by saying he was ready to file his nomination from Ayodhya if the SP chief agreed to do the same.
Yogi Invites Akhilesh to Contest From Ayodhya
Addressing the gathering after launching development projects worth several crores of rupees in Balrampur district, Adityanath said, “You contest from Ayodhya, and I will also file my nomination from there. Let us test our luck once. Why fight through our supporters? The contest should be face-to-face.”
He followed the challenge with a pointed remark, saying the contest would reveal who had greater strength.
Adityanath also took a swipe at Yadav, alleging that those who had once bowed before the mafia lacked the courage to confront him directly. His comments added a sharper political edge to the exchange, which has centred on Ayodhya and the chief minister’s association with the religious city.
Ayodhya Has Religious Significance, Says Adityanath
The chief minister said Ayodhya was not merely a city for him but a sacred religious place. He maintained that his government was committed to its development, linking his visits to the town with its religious and developmental importance.
His response followed Yadav’s criticism of the frequency of his visits to Ayodhya. The SP president’s challenge prompted Adityanath to turn the discussion towards a possible direct electoral contest between the two leaders.
However, Adityanath’s statement was an invitation to Yadav rather than a formal announcement of his own candidature from Ayodhya. He currently represents Gorakhpur Urban, located in his home district of Gorakhpur.
Ayodhya’s Political Significance Ahead of Assembly Polls
Ayodhya has remained an important political constituency in Uttar Pradesh, particularly after the Samajwadi Party won the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general election. The SP’s campaign highlighted its PDA formula, referring to pichda (backward classes), Dalit and alpsankhyak (minorities).
The party is expected to consider its candidate for the Assembly constituency as the next state election approaches. According to the report, former MLA Pawan Pandey is a likely choice for the SP.
The exchange between Adityanath and Yadav has brought Ayodhya into the political spotlight ahead of the Assembly polls. Whether the two leaders eventually contest from the same constituency remains uncertain, but the challenge has added a new point of confrontation between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.
