New Delhi, November 2026 : Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav's planned visit to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has triggered a political exchange ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with BJP leaders and other prominent figures questioning the timing of his proposed religious outreach and alleging that it is driven by electoral considerations.
Yadav is scheduled to visit the Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya with his family on December 12. The visit will mark his first trip to the temple since its consecration. The announcement has drawn criticism from political opponents, who have raised questions about the Samajwadi Party chief's approach to religion as Uttar Pradesh prepares for its next Assembly elections.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that Yadav had shifted from political campaign tours to religious visits because he believed he would not make significant electoral gains through conventional campaigning.
"After political campaign trips, Akhilesh Yadav is going on religious trips because he knows he cannot achieve anything in the upcoming elections. That is why he is preparing for that," Naqvi said.
Commenting on political realignments ahead of the polls, Naqvi described emerging alliances as temporary arrangements driven by electoral convenience. He said several political groups tend to come together when elections approach, adding that such coalitions may not necessarily last beyond their immediate political purpose.
BJP Questions Samajwadi Party's Religious Outreach
BJP state spokesperson Dr Samatha G also questioned Akhilesh Yadav's proposed visit to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, referring to what she described as the Samajwadi Party's earlier opposition to the temple's construction.
"Akhilesh Yadav was initially against the construction of Ram Mandir; now he has become religious. It is surprising how many people suddenly became Hindu as the elections are getting nearer," she claimed.
Samatha also expressed confidence in the BJP's prospects in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. She said new representatives were joining the party and described the development as a positive sign for the BJP.
"Many new representatives are joining the BJP, and it's a good sign, and I believe we are going to win the 2027 elections," she said.
Shiv Sena Telangana president Sinkaru Shivaji also questioned the timing of Yadav's proposed visit, alleging that it was intended to attract Hindu voters ahead of the Assembly polls.
He pointed out that the Ram Mandir had been built more than two to three years earlier and questioned why the SP chief had chosen the period ahead of the elections for his visit.
However, Shivaji said there was nothing objectionable about visiting the temple if the decision was based on genuine religious belief. He added that religious visits should not be undertaken merely for political purposes.
Imam Association President Makes Remarks on Yadav's Beliefs
Meanwhile, All India Imam Association president Sajid Rashidi, speaking in Delhi, described Akhilesh Yadav as an atheist and rejected the suggestion that the Samajwadi Party chief was embracing Hindu religious practices.
"Calling Akhilesh Yadav a Hindu is wrong. He is an atheist. Yadav has explicitly said that he does not believe in puja archana, and also that he does not believe in gods and goddesses," Rashidi said.
Rashidi also referred to remarks allegedly made by Samajwadi Party spokesperson Raj Kumar Bhati, claiming that Bhati had taken 16 oaths stating that he would not follow Hindu gods and goddesses.
He further alleged that Yadav was attempting to expand the Samajwadi Party's electoral support base by reaching out to Hindu voters. Rashidi claimed that the SP chief could no longer rely on the same level of Muslim support that he had received in previous elections.
He said the party was now attempting to attract Hindu voters after recognising what he described as a change in Muslim voting preferences in Uttar Pradesh. Rashidi also made remarks about Hindu voters and the role of religious outreach in electoral politics.
Ayodhya Visit in Focus Ahead of 2027 Polls
Akhilesh Yadav's December 12 visit to the Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi is likely to remain a subject of political discussion as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
The BJP leaders' criticism and Rashidi's remarks have brought the issue of religious outreach, voter support and political messaging into focus. Yadav's proposed visit, however, is yet to take place, and the motives attributed to it by his critics remain their political allegations.
