Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday cautioned that India could witness unrest similar to the recent turmoil in Nepal if electoral malpractices persist.
Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav referred to the violent anti-corruption movement in Nepal, which forced the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and other senior leaders. The unrest left over 50 people dead, led to widespread destruction of property, and toppled the government.
“If such vote theft continues, people may take to the streets in India too, just as they did in Nepal,” Yadav warned, urging the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls.
The SP leader accused the ruling BJP of colluding with the poll panel and echoed INDIA bloc leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of “systematic vote theft” in states such as Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Yadav also cited earlier cases of alleged poll malpractice in Uttar Pradesh constituencies, questioning the role of district officials. He added that India’s foreign policy had weakened ties with its neighbours, pointing out that several countries in the region – including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar – have recently witnessed political unrest.