‘UP ke do ladke’: Rahul Gandhi Responds to Akhilesh Yadav’s Birthday Wish

Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav Rekindle Political Camaraderie on Social Media

आपकी शुभकामनाओं के लिए धन्यवाद @yadavakhilesh जी।

'UP के दो लड़के' हिंदुस्तान की राजनीति को मोहब्बत की दुकान बनाएंगे – खटाखट खटाखट! https://t.co/1MxDE86jw8

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 19, 2024

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi yesterday responded warmly to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s birthday wishes, reviving the nostalgic slogan “UP ke do ladke” and signalling a continued alliance between their parties. The Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance had shown strong performance in recent Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing effective vote transfer between the two political entities.

Akhilesh Yadav, a prominent figure in the opposition INDIA bloc, wished Rahul Gandhi on social media platform X, stating, “Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Mr. @Rahulgandhi on his birthday.” Rahul Gandhi responded by reminiscing their past collaboration, saying, “UP ke do ladke Hindustan ki rajneeti ko mohabbat ki dukaan banayenge — khata-khat, khata-khat (Two boys of UP will make India’s politics a shop of love).”

Historical Context and Political Implications:

The phrase “UP ke do ladke” harkens back to the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections when Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav formed an alliance, which, despite high hopes, did not achieve the expected success. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously critiqued this partnership, referencing its initial failure and questioning its potential in the 2024 elections. “You might remember here in Uttar Pradesh that the film featuring two boys (‘do ladke’), which had flopped last time, the film of the two boys has been re-released by these people,” Modi had remarked at a rally.

However, the recent Lok Sabha elections painted a different picture. The Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance secured 43 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, significantly curtailing the BJP’s dominance, which was reduced to 33 seats. This unexpected success demonstrated the effectiveness of vote transfer and grassroots collaboration between the two parties.

With the Congress Working Committee favouring Rahul Gandhi for the role of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Akhilesh Yadav opting to remain an MP, both leaders are poised to play key roles in the opposition’s strategy in the lower house. Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments suggest a continued alliance, with both parties considering extending their partnership into upcoming bypolls and beyond.

The Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance, under the banner of the INDIA bloc, is expected to remain a formidable force in the political landscape, leveraging their combined influence to challenge the ruling party and advocate for a politics centred on inclusivity and love.

As the political scenario unfolds, the camaraderie between “UP ke do ladke” continues to symbolize a united front in Indian politics, aiming to foster a more collaborative and harmonious political environment.