'We Become CM When We Don't Contest' — Akhilesh Yadav Hints He Won't Fight 2027 UP Polls, Will Take Oath Directly From Lok Sabha

Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday made an intriguing remark about his political plans for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, hinting that he could become Chief Minister without contesting the polls.

During a press conference in Varanasi, Yadav was asked how many seats the Samajwadi Party would contest in the city and whether he would also enter the electoral fray from there.

Replying, he invoked auspiciousness: People of Kashi understand shubh-ashubh. He said past experience shows he becomes CM when he doesn't contest, and will do what is shubh for him this time too take oath directly from Lok Sabha, as he did in 2012.

 The statement sparked speculation about SP projecting him as CM face while focusing on other candidates, overseeing strategy rather than contesting.

 On BJP, he also reiterated opposition to EVMs, dared CM Yogi Adityanath to contest from Ayodhya, claimed SP candidate would defeat him.