BJP Responds To Akhilesh Yadav After Jayant Chaudhary’s ‘Chavanni’ Remark

A day after Union Minister of State and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary responded to Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav's 'chavanni' remark, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday stepped up its criticism of the SP leader. BJP leaders accused Yadav of insulting the Jat community through his comments directed at Chaudhary, escalating the political exchange between the two sides.

Yadav had recently remarked at an event that he did not know where some people who joined hands with the SP had come from, adding that his party had increased their value from 'chavanni' to one rupee before they left. The remark was widely interpreted as a reference to Jayant Chaudhary and his RLD. Chaudhary responded on X on Saturday, objecting to what he described as the use of derogatory language in political exchanges.

Chaudhary argued that if Yadav wanted to use such language in a political battle, he could have at least taken his name directly. He also objected to what he viewed as a reference to the Jat community and recalled his experience of dealing with what he described as arrogance in politics. The RLD chief's response came a day before BJP leaders intensified their criticism of the SP president.

Also Read: Jagan Reddy Criticises Government Over Tobacco Prices; Minister Responds

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma accused Yadav of insulting the wider Jat community by referring to Chaudhary as 'chavanni'. Sharma invoked the legacy of former Prime Minister and farmer leader Chaudhary Charan Singh, Jayant Chaudhary's grandfather, arguing that the family had a prominent place among both Jat leaders and farmer representatives. BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi also criticised Yadav, alleging that the SP chief was politically isolated and was attempting to keep possible alliance options open.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kumar Kashyap also attacked Yadav over the remarks, accusing him of insulting RLD leaders, Chaudhary Charan Singh and the Jat community. Kashyap maintained that the RLD was a trusted ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and that alliance partners stood with the party. He warned that Yadav would have to face political consequences for what he described as an insult to the RLD.

The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of shifting political equations in Uttar Pradesh, where alliances between major parties and regional outfits remain significant. The BJP's response to Yadav's remarks has added another layer to the political contest, with leaders from both sides using the episode to question each other's alliances and political positioning. The comments are likely to keep the dispute over the SP-RLD relationship and the wider opposition alliance in focus.

Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Responds To Congress MP's 'It Happens' Remark