Controversial posters have emerged in parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Amethi and Lucknow, comparing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. One poster in Amethi poses a choice between ‘Dhurandhar’ work and Akhilesh’s ‘Lyari Raj,’ referencing a locality in Karachi known for gang violence. The campaign, attributed to ‘Youth Against Mafia,’ contrasts the two leaders’ governance styles and urges the public to decide.
In Lucknow, similar posters near Lucknow University and Hanuman Setu Mandir have been put up by members of the group ‘Youth Against Mafia,’ including Ashutosh Singh and Abhinav Tiwari. The campaign, expanding to multiple districts, aims to engage younger voters and raise awareness of historical events. According to Abhinav Tiwari, the initiative targets Gen Z to showcase societal changes, while Ashutosh Singh emphasizes the importance of staying informed in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
The posters have sparked political discussions ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. They highlight contrasting narratives of past governance under Akhilesh Yadav and Yogi Adityanath, emphasizing issues like violence, riots, and the crackdown on criminal networks. The campaign, with its provocative messaging, aims to influence public opinion and engage the youth in the political discourse.
