SP's 'PDA' include women, tribals, forwards: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwi Party supremo Akhilesh Yav on Monday said his party's 'Pichhde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak' include half of India's population -- women --, tribals, as well as forward section of society.

"Be it 'Agde' or 'ivasi,' or 'hi Abi' everyone is included in PDA for whom our party is battling," Yav, who reached Lucknow with his PDA yatra, told reporters.

'PDA' is a term coined by party to refer to backward, Dalits, and minorities.

He said rally, which reached Lucknow on Monday, has alrey covered more than 5,000 km across state. yatra will conclude in Etawah's Saifai on November 22.

He said yatra is being taken out to raise awareness about threat to social justice and rights and honour of people, and to press for a caste census.

Replying to a question on PDA, he said, "PDA is party's strategy while INDIA is opposition's alliance. PDA is important and we are working to associate people with it." "It is also for saving country from forces conspiring to divide it," he said.

" path to nation's (Delhi throne) will go through Uttar Presh only," said SP president, in an obvious reference to 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Yav also criticised state of health infrastructure in UP under Yogi ityanath government.

"Dengue is spreing fast and in some villages 20 deaths were reported. But state government is sleeping. Son of an MP died in SGPGI here for lack of treatment," he said, ding that government is not spending enough money on health.

"BJP only indulges in conspiracies and spres rumours through you (media). It has nothing new to show," said Yav before starting his yatra.

yatra started from Purvanchal Expressway and covered a distance of about 20 kms on cycle, which is also party's election symbol, to culminate at Janeshwar Mishra park in Gomti Nagar area.

yatra took over 3.30 hours to reach park. Its route was chosen to highlight works done during SP government helmed by Yav.

It passed through Amul plant, cancer hospital, HCL, Palassio Mall/Ekana stium, police hequarter, and also Janeshwar Mishra park, all constructed under SP government.

On Andhra Presh train accident, Yav said such events have exposed government's claims of having technology that will alert about potential risks. "What kind of 'kavach' is this?" Talking to reporters after yatra, Yav said 'Sabka, Saath, Sabka Vikas' slogan of BJP is 'farzi' (fake).

Asked about Dalit sammelan being organised by BJP in state, Yav said, "What can you expect from those who meet Dailts only after y have been given a bath with a soap." He said that SP will move forward with all parties which are with it and people will wipe out BJP in 2024 polls.

He also alleged that BJP wanted to finish Constitution me by Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, a Dalit icon.