Posters by ‘Youth Against Mafia’ Compare Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav Across UP Districts
Posters in UP contrast Yogi’s rule with Akhilesh’s tenure.
Controversial posters comparing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have appeared in parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Amethi and Lucknow, sparking political debate ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The posters contrast Yogi Adityanath’s “Dhurandhar” (masterful) governance with what the campaign terms Akhilesh Yadav’s “Lyari Raj,” a reference to the Karachi locality once notorious for gang violence.
In Amethi, a prominent poster installed near the railway station carries the message: “What do you want—‘Dhurandhar’ work, or Akhilesh’s ‘Lyari Raj’?” The hoarding visually juxtaposes instances of violence and riots during Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure with Yogi Adityanath’s reported crackdown on gangsters and mafia networks. A central message urges the public to choose between the two narratives.
The campaign has been attributed to an organisation called ‘Youth Against Mafia,’ with details of its office-bearers, including the Executive President, General Secretary, and Pratapgarh in-charge, displayed on the hoardings. According to sources, the group has been actively installing similar posters in multiple districts across the state.
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In Lucknow, the posters have appeared near prominent locations, including Lucknow University and Hanuman Setu Mandir. Members of the organisation, including Ashutosh Singh and Abhinav Tiwari, have confirmed that the campaign is planned to cover at least 10 districts, aiming to reach younger voters.
Speaking to IANS, Abhinav Tiwari said the initiative is designed to engage Gen Z voters. “Our aim is to reach young people and make them aware of past events. We want to highlight how things have changed over time,” he said. Ashutosh Singh added that the campaign seeks to inform the younger generation without influence from caste or religion, especially in an era increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence.
Political analysts say such campaigns reflect growing efforts by civil society and interest groups to influence young voters ahead of key elections. While supporters view the initiative as educational, critics argue that framing comparisons in such stark terms could further polarise the political discourse in the state.
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