The Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav cautioned party leaders on Saturday (August 15, 2026) against making statements that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could exploit.

“No statement should be made that the BJP can exploit. We will print a pamphlet for every leader.., instructing them to speak only from this material. Don’t speak otherwise,” cautioned Mr. Yadav, addressing an Independence Day event at the state party headquarters.

Mr. Yadav was reacting to the SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav's statement that Azam Khan would be the State’s Home Minister when their party comes to power. This led to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath questioning the statement and alleging that the SP want to trigger riots again in U.P.

Mr. Adityanath, without naming Shivpal Singh Yadav or Azam Khan, said, “The Samajwadi Party is standing behind a person who built a university (Jauhar University at Rampur) after an individual (Mohammad Ali Jauhar) responsible for India’s Partition and who opposed the country’s Independence. They are saying that if their party comes to power, they will make him the Home Minister.” The U.P. CM added, “Just look at their thinking. This means they want to trigger riots again.”

Shivpal Singh Yadav made the statement after visiting Mr. Khan in jail.