Akhilesh Yadav has thanked Rahul Gandhi for wishing him on his birthday, posting a message on the social media platform X that also carried his signature political slogan, PDA politics. The post was shared from his handle @yadavakhilesh.
Rahul Gandhi's birthday had already stirred political debate
The post comes amid a political controversy tied to Rahul Gandhi's birthday. A poster had surfaced showing Rahul Gandhi holding an axe in one hand and a copy of the Constitution in the other, sparking debate. Separately, Congress supporters in Uttar Pradesh put out a poster on his birthday portraying him as an avatar of Parashuram, which triggered further political interpretation and discussion. It is against this backdrop that Akhilesh Yadav's reply to Rahul Gandhi's birthday greeting has drawn attention.
What Akhilesh Yadav wrote
Akhilesh Yadav wrote,
Thank you very much, Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, for wishing me on my birthday! Everyone who stands together in bringing the rule of social justice is welcome. We must renew our resolve for unity every time, and lift the veil off the faces of those who quietly benefit communal forces.
He ended the post with the phrase PDA politics, underlining his party's political identity built around bringing together backward classes, Dalits and minorities.
What PDA politics means
PDA stands for Pichhda (Backward), Dalit and Alpsankhyak (Minority). The slogan is tied to the Samajwadi Party's social coalition strategy, through which these three groups have been sought to be united. Akhilesh Yadav's remarks about social justice, unity and communal forces in the post are being viewed through this political framework.
Public reaction
The post drew a mixed response on social media. Several users wished Akhilesh Yadav on his birthday and expressed support for the PDA alliance, while others questioned why only Rahul Gandhi's greeting was acknowledged when other leaders had also wished him. Overall, the reactions ranged from support to curiosity about the timing and framing of the message.
