Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has expressed regret over overturning the Mayawati government’s decision against Kunda MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh, popularly known as Raja Bhaiyya. The statement comes amid ongoing political tensions in Uttar Pradesh, particularly regarding police action against SP leader Gulshan Yadav.
Political Fallout and Raja Bhaiyya’s Influence
During Mayawati’s tenure, Raja Bhaiyya was jailed and his family assets seized due to allegations of criminal activities. However, when Akhilesh Yadav assumed office, his government reversed those actions, a decision he now regrets.
“The previous BSP governments had taken some steps against him. We should not have reversed them,” Yadav stated, hinting at the political targeting of Gulshan Yadav, a former close aide of Raja Bhaiyya who later contested against him in the 2022 assembly elections.
Tensions in Kunda Constituency
Gulshan Yadav, who ran against Raja Bhaiyya under the Samajwadi Party banner, faced multiple legal cases and asset seizures following his electoral challenge. Akhilesh Yadav has accused Raja Bhaiyya’s camp of orchestrating these actions, stating that political vendettas are at play.
A Long-Standing Rivalry
The rivalry between Akhilesh Yadav and Raja Bhaiyya dates back to the 2008 Rajya Sabha elections, when Raja Bhaiyya initially pledged support to the Samajwadi Party but later backed the BJP, leading to a bitter fallout.
As Uttar Pradesh politics continues to evolve, Yadav’s latest remarks signal a shift in his stance on Raja Bhaiyya, potentially influencing future electoral strategies in the state.
