'Why is BJP worried?' Akhilesh gives fresh PDA definition ahead of Ayodhya visit

Explained

What happened

Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP) has planned a visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya on December 12, and the trip has triggered a political exchange in Uttar Pradesh. According to Outlook India, Akhilesh responded to BJP criticism of the visit by saying that God belongs to everyone, and he offered a new meaning for PDA, the term his party uses for its outreach. The Times of India also reported that he gave a fresh definition of PDA ahead of the visit, and framed its coverage around why the BJP appears worried. IndiaToday reported that the planned trip has become a point of political clash in the state.

Why it matters

Hindustan Times reported that the BJP is expected to focus on the SP's stance on the Ram temple and on a 1990 firing, which it said would be raised in the run-up to the visit. The same outlet noted that the SP has tried to make alleged donation irregularities at the Ram temple a campaign issue months before the state polls. The Hindu, citing political analysts, said the visit comes a few months after the Ram temple donation row and could broaden the SP's PDA outreach. Those analysts, as quoted by The Hindu, also saw it as an attempt to counter the BJP's charge that the SP is anti-Hindu.

What we don't know yet

The reports do not spell out the full new definition of PDA in detail, so the exact meaning Akhilesh gave it remains unclear from these sources. The outlets also describe the Ram temple matter differently: The Hindu calls it an embezzlement row, while Hindustan Times refers to alleged donation irregularities. The reports do not explain the 1990 firing or provide the BJP's specific counter-arguments in full. Beyond the December 12 date, the coverage does not say how the visit will proceed or what its political outcome may be.

Written by the 91News.in desk with AI assistance, based on reports from Times of India, Hindustan Times, Outlook India, The Hindu, IndiaToday. Updated 11 Nov 2026, 7:05 pm. Spotted an error? Tell us.