Akhilesh Yadav Slams BJP Over Raksha Bandhan Bus Row

Lucknow, August 29, 2026 The political dispute in Uttar Pradesh has intensified over the implementation of the government's free bus travel scheme for Raksha Bandhan. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of failing to honour its promise to women, alleging that passengers faced difficulties despite the announcement of free travel across the state. Yadav shared a video on X that purportedly showed a mud-covered bus depot in Prayagraj, where people appeared to be struggling to locate buses. He claimed that women from different parts of Uttar Pradesh complained about buses being unavailable, inadequate seating and some buses allegedly skipping designated stops. The Uttar Pradesh government had announced free travel for women and one accompanying person on all Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses from midnight on August 27 until midnight on Friday. The initiative was aimed at facilitating travel during Raksha Bandhan, while the transport department, police and local authorities were directed to ensure safe and hassle-free journeys. Yadav attacked the BJP over the alleged shortcomings, saying, "Even Ravana did not deceive his sisters the way they (BJP) have. The unrighteous BJP and its 'sangi-saathi' (associates -- a veiled reference to RSS) have turned out to be bigger liars than Dashanan, because they speak 10 times more lies with more than 10 mouths." He added, "Ravana deceived only once by changing his disguise, whereas they (BJP) remain in the same disguise and keep deceiving and cheating people." In another post, Yadav wrote, "Be-bus behnein (helpless sisters): After promising free buses on Raksha Bandhan, they removed the buses themselves!" He also said, "The BJP may spread as much mud as it wants now, its lotus will not bloom. The BJP will go, and will never come back again." With Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled for next year, the controversy has further sharpened the political contest between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party.