Akhilesh Yadav PDA Rath Yatra: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday flagged off the party's PDA Rath Yatra from Lucknow to Raebareli, launching an early outreach campaign ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The yatra, featuring a fleet of red buses and accompanied by party workers, marks a fresh mobilisation effort by the Samajwadi Party across central Uttar Pradesh. The campaign is centred on the party's PDA formulation, referring to Pichhda (Backward Classes), Dalit and Alpsankhyak (Minorities) communities.

PDA Rath Yatra Begins Early

The PDA Rath Yatra was initially scheduled to begin in early October but was brought forward to September 24.

The timing places the Samajwadi Party's grassroots campaign well ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. The party has been seeking to consolidate its PDA coalition, which has formed a central part of its electoral messaging.

The journey from Lucknow to Raebareli also puts the campaign in a politically significant part of central Uttar Pradesh as the party begins its wider outreach.

#WATCH | Raebareli | Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav holds PDA Rath Yatra as he begins his campaign for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/UePAvnLtiS

— ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2026

Why Raebareli?

Raebareli's selection as the destination for the yatra's launch has attracted attention because of its association with the Congress.

The constituency is represented in the Lok Sabha by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The choice also contrasts with Kannauj, which has been a prominent political base for Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party.

The route and launch point therefore come against the backdrop of the evolving political landscape in Uttar Pradesh, where parties are already beginning preparations for the 2027 Assembly contest.

No Substance In Such Things: UP Minister

Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal told ANI: “I feel there is no substance to such things… They speak in terms of caste divisions rather than society as a whole; they have sought to divide the state along caste lines, and whenever they have done so, they have met with a disastrous fate. I believe the future will be no different…”