Akhilesh Yadav said the Samajwadi Party will approach the Supreme Court to verify the accuracy of electoral rolls, alleging manipulation by the BJP. He also pitched for ballot paper elections, questioning the continued use of EVMs in India.
Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, indicated that his party is preparing to approach the Supreme Court of India over concerns related to electoral transparency. Speaking at a press conference, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and accused it of interfering with and manipulating electoral rolls.
Mr. Yadav said that the Samajwadi Party wants the highest court to examine the correctness of voter lists used during elections.
He stated,
“We are planning to move the Supreme Court to verify whether the voter list prepared by the Election Commission is valid or the list compiled by the State Election Commission is accurate,”
making it clear that his party doubts the credibility of the current electoral data maintained by the authorities, including the Election Commission of India.
Raising serious questions over the voting process, Mr. Yadav also reiterated his long-standing demand for a return to ballot paper-based elections instead of electronic voting machines. Supporting his argument, he said,
“Countries like Germany and Japan do not use electronic voting machines (EVMs).”
He suggested that paper ballots would ensure greater trust, transparency and public confidence in the democratic process.
When asked about the possibility of a political alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Biju Janata Dal, Mr. Yadav expressed openness to the idea.
He said,
“We would like to have. We have to strengthen here.”
His comments came a day after he met BJD chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the latter’s residence.
Although he did not share details of their discussion, Mr. Yadav confirmed that the meeting was politically significant and focused on opposing the BJP.
ALSO READ: #BREAKING CBI Summons Akhilesh Yadav as Witness in Illegal Mining Case
He stated,
“Two former chief ministers met and shared their views and resolved to defeat the BJP.”
Highlighting the ideological connection between the two parties, he also referred to the close personal relationship between their families. He said his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Patnaik’s father, Biju Patnaik, shared a strong bond and that both parties are rooted in socialist principles.
Responding to questions about the BJP government’s Ayushman Bharat health card scheme, Mr. Yadav criticised the approach of providing healthcare through cards and documentation.
Referring to the flagship health insurance programme Ayushman Bharat, he said,
“The socialists do not believe in cards. Let all poor people get free treatment without any limit. The serious illness of all should also be made free,”
stressing that healthcare should be universal, unconditional and fully accessible to the poor.
Mr. Yadav further alleged that the BJP deliberately fuels communal tensions to gain political advantage, claiming that divisive politics is being used as a tool to influence elections and polarise voters.
ALSO READ: Ex-CM Akhilesh Yadav Morphed Photo: Allahabad High Court Stays Arrest Of Accused Man
His remarks come at a time when opposition parties are increasingly questioning the fairness of electoral processes and the functioning of democratic institutions in the country.
The Samajwadi Party chief’s statements indicate that the issue of electoral transparency, voting methods and voter list accuracy may soon become a major legal and political battle, with the Supreme Court likely to be approached to seek judicial scrutiny of the election machinery.
Click Here to Read More Reports On Akhilesh Yadav
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
