Political Fireworks in UP: Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘Stool Minister’ Jibe and Keshav Maurya’s ‘Samaptwadi Party’ Counter Keep the Rivalry Alive

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Lucknow: The long-standing political rivalry between Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya continues to heat up state politics. While Akhilesh never misses a chance to call Maurya the “Stool Minister,” the BJP leader frequently retaliates by branding the SP as the “Samaptwadi Party” — a party headed for extinction.

Recently, both leaders were seen sharing a light moment at Patna Airport, laughing and shaking hands. But behind the smiles lies one of UP’s most biting political rivalries — marked by sarcasm, sharp counterattacks, and social media duels that never fail to grab attention.

The “Monsoon Offer” and Political Taunts

In 2022, Akhilesh took a direct jab at Maurya, saying that if he could bring 100 BJP MLAs, the SP would make him the Chief Minister. Calling it his “Monsoon Offer,” Akhilesh hinted at alleged internal sidelining of Maurya within the BJP.

Maurya, known for his equally fiery comebacks, hit back by accusing Akhilesh of being unable to tolerate strong backward-class leaders and focusing only on family-based politics.

“Government Servant” and “Delhi Wi-Fi Password” Remarks

Akhilesh’s taunts have often gone viral. In March, while attending a wedding in Mahoba, he quipped that Maurya had turned from a dreamer into a mere government servant. Earlier, he mocked Maurya by saying, “He is the Wi-Fi password of Delhi,” implying that Maurya follows every signal from the central leadership.

The “Stool Minister” Controversy

One of Akhilesh’s most infamous jibes came when a photo from a BJP event showed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Dinesh Sharma seated on chairs while Maurya sat on a small stool between them. Akhilesh quickly seized the moment, dubbing him the Stool Minister — a remark that sparked a political storm.

Maurya’s Counterattack: “Samaptwadi Party” and “PDA” Dig

Keshav Maurya, in turn, has never hesitated to counterpunch. He often calls the Samajwadi Party the “Samaptwadi Party,” asserting that its relevance in UP politics is over.
He also ridiculed Akhilesh’s PDA formula (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak – Backward, Dalit, Minority) by saying it actually stands for “Parivar Development Agency.”

Clashes Inside the Assembly

The verbal duels have often spilled into the UP Legislative Assembly. During the 2022 Budget Session, sharp exchanges between the two forced CM Yogi Adityanath to intervene and urge members to maintain decorum. The heated debate disrupted proceedings, with both sides accusing each other of using offensive language.

“Saifai Land” Remark and the OBC Battle

In one such debate, Maurya taunted Akhilesh, saying that the SP chief talks about expressways and metros “as if he built them by selling land in Saifai.” The personal remark drew an angry response from Akhilesh, while the BJP linked it to an insult to the SP patriarch, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

At the heart of this rivalry lies the OBC vote bank. Maurya is seen as the BJP’s most prominent non-Yadav OBC leader, while Akhilesh positions himself as the champion of Backward, Dalit, and Minority communities. Their exchanges are part of a larger struggle for dominance over this crucial demographic.

Identity Politics Takes Center Stage

What began as a series of taunts has now evolved into a deeper political narrative — one that intertwines identity, ego, and power. In the evolving battleground of Uttar Pradesh, the Akhilesh–Maurya rivalry symbolizes not just a clash of personalities, but a battle for social and political supremacy in India’s most politically significant state.

📰 — SD News Political Bureau

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