Lucknow, November 5, 2025

The long-running political rivalry between Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has once again heated up. Though the two leaders were recently seen smiling and shaking hands at Patna Airport, their public relationship remains anything but friendly. Over the years, both have traded sharp jibes, turning their rivalry into one of the most discussed political face-offs in the state.

Akhilesh Yadav has often mocked Keshav Maurya, calling him “stool minister” after a photo from a BJP event showed Maurya sitting on a stool while others sat on chairs. He also once referred to Maurya as “Delhi Wi-Fi password,” implying he takes orders directly from the central leadership. In another taunt, Akhilesh had said that if Maurya could bring 100 BJP MLAs, the Samajwadi Party would make him Chief Minister — a sarcastic “monsoon offer.”

Maurya, however, has never stayed silent. He frequently hits back, calling the Samajwadi Party a “Samaptvadi Party” (party of the abolished). He accuses Akhilesh of family-centered politics and claims that his PDA slogan — representing backward, Dalit, and minority communities — is really a “Family Development Agency.” Maurya insists that Akhilesh cannot accept strong backward leaders outside his family circle and that the people of Uttar Pradesh will reject such divisive politics.

Their clashes have not been limited to rallies or social media. During the 2022 UP Assembly budget session, tempers flared between the two on the floor of the House. A heated argument erupted, forcing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to step in and restore order. Both sides accused each other of disrespectful behavior, turning a routine session into a political spectacle.

At the core of this rivalry lies the battle for Uttar Pradesh’s crucial OBC vote bank. Maurya, a key OBC face in the BJP, seeks to expand his influence among non-Yadav backward classes, while Akhilesh positions himself as the true representative of the PDA alliance. Both are competing for the same ground — the hearts of the backward and marginalized communities.

This ongoing war of words highlights how Uttar Pradesh’s politics has become as personal as it is ideological. Beyond policies and governance, the struggle is about who commands greater respect and authority among the state’s backward classes. As elections approach, the Akhilesh-Maurya duel shows no sign of cooling — proving once again that in UP politics, rivalry can be as enduring as ambition itself.

Rivalry Reloaded: Akhilesh vs Keshav – The Political Heat Rises Again

The political battlefield in Uttar Pradesh is once again witnessing sparks fly between Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya. Their long-standing rivalry has turned into a mix of political punches and personal taunts — and neither side seems ready to blink.

Akhilesh’s sharp wit has been on full display, calling Maurya a “stool minister” and joking that he’s the “Wi-Fi password of Delhi,” hinting that he follows central commands. Maurya, not one to back down, fires back by dubbing Akhilesh’s party “Samaptvadi Party” — a party of the past — and accuses him of family-first politics.

Even in the Assembly, their clashes have turned heated enough for Yogi Adityanath to step in. But behind the jibes and sarcasm lies a serious contest — the fight for Uttar Pradesh’s massive OBC vote base.

As both leaders sharpen their words and strategies, one thing is clear: this isn’t just about politics — it’s a battle for dominance, pride, and power. Uttar Pradesh’s political drama just got a fresh season, and the script is getting spicier by the day.