Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Sep 24: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday launched the party's PDA Rath Yatra campaign from Lucknow to Raebareli as part of its preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The campaign, centred on the party's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) coalition of backward classes, Dalits and minorities, aims to strengthen its grassroots outreach across central Uttar Pradesh.

The red buses carrying party workers and supporters departed from the state capital as part of the campaign.

Earlier this month, Yadav described PDA as an "alliance of progressive and positive people" and said a PDA government would work towards establishing social justice.

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, he said the alliance sought to bring together people who were harassed, distressed and humiliated, adding that their shared experiences would unite them.
The PDA acronym, coined by Yadav in June 2023, refers to Pichhda (backward classes), Dalits and Alpsankhyak (minorities).

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Ashutosh Verma dismissed speculation over the colour of the newly unveiled PDA Rath, which appeared orange in some visuals despite the party's traditional red colour.

Verma attributed the appearance to camera optics and lighting conditions, arguing that red could take on a warmer, orange-like hue when filmed under bright sunlight.

He accused the BJP of diverting attention from public issues by turning the colour of the vehicle into a political controversy.

Verma said the yatra represented the party's approach of engaging directly with people and consolidating support among backward classes, Dalits and minorities.

Ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, Yadav has also set a target of increasing the party's vote tally by 27,000 votes in every constituency. He has outlined the party's electoral strategy while criticising the state government's handling of law and order.