Controversial Hoardings Spur Political Standoff in Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, hoardings targeting Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav sparked tensions as party workers removed them. Authorities initiated a probe following complaints of defamatory content. The political friction underscores attempts to challenge Yadav's influence, with demands for accountability from the ruling powers.

Controversial hoardings targeting Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav were torn down by party workers in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district on Tuesday morning, officials said.

Authorities have ordered a probe into the matter after several large hoardings carrying objectionable messages against the former chief minister were found at prominent locations in the Sadar Bazar police station area, they said.

The hoardings carried large photographs of Yadav and described him as ''anti-women'', along with slogans such as ''Mahila virodhi sapai'', ''Betiyon ki cheekh, gundo ka shor, SP raj mein yahi tha daur'' and ''Naari ka apmaan, satta ka abhimaan, ab SP ki yahi pehchaan''.

Some posters showed Yadav wearing the party's trademark red cap, while others depicted him wearing a skull cap associated with the Muslim community.

As the news of the hoardings spread, party workers reached the spots and tore them down, officials said.

Led by district president Tanveer Khan, SP workers later submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate, demanding a detailed investigation and strict action against those responsible for putting up the posters.

Khan told PTI that the hoardings were put up on Monday night at busy locations such as the roadways bus stand, Khirni Bagh, Kachahri crossing and Cantonment area.

He alleged that the ruling dispensation was trying to malign Yadav's image due to his ''growing popularity''.

City Magistrate Rajnikant said the administration had received the SP memorandum and the police had been asked to conduct a fair investigation into the matter.