Akhilesh Yadav turns to Maharana Pratap now

Under pressure to contain Rajput anger, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has pivoted toward symbolic politics by invoking Maharana Pratap. On Friday, Yadav announced that if his party is voted to power, it will install a towering statue of Maharana Pratap on the Gomti Riverfront in Lucknow-with a sword made of gold.

The announcement comes amid backlash over party MP Ramji Lal Suman's remarks against historical Rajput figure Rana Sanga. The comments triggered widespread protests by the Karni Sena, with demonstrations erupting in various parts of Uttar Pradesh. Yadav initially stood by Suman, further angering sections of the Rajput community.

With elections on the horizon, Yadav is now attempting damage control. At the press conference, he also recalled that it was the SP government that earlier declared a one-day state holiday in honour of Maharana Pratap. He demanded that the current BJP government in the state increase it to a two-day holiday.