'Together, firmly': Rahul Gandhi acknowledges Akhilesh Yadav's b'day wish, SP chief and Congress MP reaffirm shared PDA Agenda

Amidst fluctuating relations between the Samajwadi Party and Congress, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav engaged in a public exchange on X, signaling a potential thaw. Gandhi assured Yadav that they would jointly advocate for the PDA, a coalition of backwards, Dalits, and minorities, from the streets to Parliament.
LUCKNOW: Amid ongoing blow-hot-blow-cold ties between SP and the
Congress
- the two key INDIA bloc constituents -- Congress MP
Rahul Gandhi
and SP chief
Akhilesh Yadav
not only exchanged pleasantries on X, but the former also assured the latter that they would raise the voice of PDA together.
The PDA (backwards, Dalits and minorities) was the term coined by the SP chief to appeal to the OBCs, SCs and Muslims before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
O
n the occasion of Rahul's 55th birthday, Akhilesh took to his X handle to extend greetings. "Heartfelt congratulations to Rahul Gandhi on his birthday and best wishes for his harmonious, inclusive, and comprehensive socio-political activism!" wrote Akhilesh.
In response to the post, Rahul wrote back: "Akhilesh ji, thank you very much for your wishes. We will continue to raise the voice of the people of Uttar Pradesh - especially the PDA - even more strongly from the streets to Parliament. Together, firmly."
This was the first time after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls that the two leaders spoke publicly about 'moving ahead together'. It comes close on the heels of Akhilesh's press statement announcing that the INDIA bloc would contest 2027 UP elections together amid the UP Congress's organisational building workshop focusing on fortifying their unit in all the 403 seats of the state.
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UP state leaders, however, maintained that there was no rift with the SP. "The so-called rift between SP and us was a handiwork of the BJP propaganda peddlers who are scared of the power of the INDIA bloc," said Ajay Rai, UP Congress president.
AICC incharge for UP, Avinash Pande, said: "Organisational building is a primary commitment of party leadership with its followers and workers. We have been working on all the 403 seats of UP to be able to take on the BJP in a much stronger way.
Strengthening Congress means fortifying the INDIA bloc as well," he said.
Rahul to Akhilesh: We will raise PDA's voice together
Amid ongoing blow-hot-blow-cold ties between SP and the Cong -- the two key INDIA bloc constituents -- Cong MP Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav not only exchanged pleasantries on X, but the former also assured the latter that they would raise the voice of PDA together.
The PDA (backwards, Dalits and minorities) was the term coined by the SP chief to appeal to the OBCs, SCs and Muslims before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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