LUCKNOW — A fresh political storm has erupted in Uttar Pradesh following provocative claims by state cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar that the Samajwadi Party (SP) is on the verge of a major vertical split similar to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Replying to the assertions, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav delivered a sharp rebuttal, stating, “Jo dar jayega, woh bhaag jayega” (Those who get scared will run away), emphasizing that his party only needs brave leaders willing to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The war of words underscores the volatile political landscape in UP, with former allies trading heavy barbs over alleged backchannel alignments and structural vulnerabilities within the state’s main opposition camp.
The Trigger: Rajbhar Claims Submissions to Home Ministry
Om Prakash Rajbhar, the UP Minister for Panchayati Raj and Minority Welfare, set off a wave of political speculation during an interview with NDTV, boldly claiming that a split within the SP is “100% correct” and already underway:
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The Alleged Secret List: Rajbhar claimed that senior SP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav had prepared a strategic list of leaders and handed it over to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
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The “Deal” Assertions: According to the minister, the communication was aimed at securing protection for specific SP leaders in exchange for switching sides. “The letter conveys that no harm should come to them, and these leaders are ready to join you,” Rajbhar asserted, citing observed warmth between Ram Gopal Yadav and Amit Shah as his visual evidence.
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Family Focus: Rajbhar further alleged that the top leadership of the Yadav family was currently preoccupied solely with safeguarding its own political and legal interests.
The Rebuttal: Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Fire Back
The Samajwadi Party leadership moved quickly to dismantle Rajbhar’s narrative, characterizing it as a standard psychological warfare tactic deployed by the ruling dispensation.
“Those who get scared will leave. We need brave people to fight the BJP.” — Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party Chief
Akhilesh Yadav initially made light of the minister’s statement, asking how long such speculative sagas would continue, before launching a direct offensive against the BJP’s organizational tactics. He pointed out that the BJP has a historical track record of poaching SP lawmakers and fracturing opposition ranks to consolidate power.
Simultaneously, Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav vehemently denied the existence of any such letter or meeting, completely dismissing Rajbhar’s credibility.
“Go and ask Amit Shah ji whether I have submitted any letter,” an agitated Ram Gopal Yadav stated, adding that “no one in the country takes Om Prakash Rajbhar seriously. He himself does not know what he is saying.” He maintained that the SP remains entirely cohesive and that the public would see through the rumors being spread by the ruling alliance.
