‘Dacoity of votes’: Akhilesh targets BJP & EC; confirms end of I-PAC contract

Referring to the bypolls in Kundarki, Rampur and Milkipur, he alleged that Muslim and Yadav votes were selectively deleted or shifted. “This is vote ki dakaiti. Our party had submitted around 18,000 affidavits to the EC after notices were issued over alleged voter irregularities.”

The SP chief also alleged that sections of the media, “undercover officers”, and some rich people were working together to influence elections and shape public opinion. “It is not counting of votes but counting in mind,” he remarked, alleging that psychological pressure was created on voters by projecting outcomes even before counting was completed.

The SP chief claimed the “learning” from West Bengal would now be applied in UP ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. He, however, asserted that the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) alliance would secure a “historic victory”.

IPAC break

Akhilesh also said his party has ended its contract with the political consultancy firm, Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), due to lack of funds and not because of the recent Assembly election results.

This comes a day after The Indian Express reported that SP’s proposed tie-up with I-PAC for the 2027 polls has fallen through, amid a mix of legal troubles, electoral setbacks, and internal reservations within the party.

Akhilesh, however, dismissed speculation that the termination of contract was because of the recent Assembly election results; he said the party had engaged the firm for a brief period ahead of next year’s polls but could not continue the arrangement.

“Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding,” he said.

I-PAC, which has managed major election campaigns across party lines across the country, faced a setback after the Enforcement Directorate arrested I-PAC director Vinesh Chandel last month in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the alleged Bengal coal smuggling case.

Akhilesh, meanwhile, in a lighter vein said that instead of expensive consultants, the party may now rely on a “pandit” for electoral advice. “We thought that if we have to work with a ‘winning agency’, then there are several big companies.”

Calling himself a “Neo Samajwadi”, Akhilesh said the SP would continue to work with INDIA bloc allies while preparing aggressively for next year.