How Akhilesh Yadav’s daughter Aditi is learning ropes on campaign trail in family bastion Mainpuri

05/05/2024

Mainpuri/Saifai: In countless videos featuring the lyrics, “main gareebo ki khatir ladunga sada, banke sevak tumhara rahunga sada” (I will always fight for the poor, I will always be your servant) — one face stands out among the children and women. It is that of Aditi Yadav — granddaughter of late Mulayam Singh Yadav and daughter of Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav — who has hit the campaign trail in the family bastion of Mainpuri.

Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) accusations of nepotism against the Samajwadi Party (SP), the 21-year-old represents the third generation of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s lineage stepping into the political arena.

Five members of the Yadav family are contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, including Dimple Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and his cousins Akshay Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav and Aditya Yadav. Akhilesh is contesting from Kannauj, Dharmendra from Azamgarh, Dimple from Mainpuri, Akshay from Firozabad, and Aditya from Badaun.

Pursuing her degree in Politics and International Relations from University College London (UCL), Aditi has been canvassing in Mainpuri on behalf of her mother Dimple Yadav, who won the seat in a bypoll necessitated by the death of Mulayam Singh Yadav in 2022.

Of the five assembly segments in the Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency — Mainpuri, Karhal, Kishni, Jaswantnagar and Bhogaon — Aditi’s campaign trail is focused on Karhal and Kishni, both bastions of the Samajwadi Party.

Her grassroots approach, where she engages intimately with the community, has garnered a warm reception. Departing from her Saifai residence at noon for the campaign trail and returning by dusk, her dynamism has also become an inspiration for the party’s young workers.

On Tuesday, when she reached Nangla village in Kishni, a crowd of women and children gathered around her, some even touching her feet, while she interacted with the younger ones.

how akhilesh yadav’s daughter aditi is learning ropes on campaign trail in family bastion mainpuri

Aditi Yadav, daughter of Akhilesh Yadav, addressing a nukkad sabha in Kishni, Mainpuri | Krishan Murari | ThePrint

“Netaji ki poti aayi hai (Neta ji‘s granddaughter has come). Neta ji also used to meet people like this. There is always a smile on this girl’s face. We will be happy if she also contests elections next time,” Rajesh Katheria, a resident of Nangla, told ThePrint.

For Piyush Yadav, a Samajwadi Party youth worker in Kishni, Aditi is an inspiration. “She is campaigning continuously for 6-7 hours in this scorching heat. There is clarity in her voice and thought. Nothing would have changed had she not come, but the public likes her. She does not need recognition, but now, she is also making a name for herself.”

During ThePrint’s visit to several villages in Kishni and Karhal assembly constituencies, people reminisced that Mulayam Singh Yadav initiated his political journey in these regions and was known for mingling with the populace — organising intimate roadside gatherings and forging personal ties with the community — an approach Aditi has adopted as well.

When Vibha Yadav from Nangla met Aditi, she told the latter, “Take care of your grandfather’s legacy,” eliciting a smile from Aditi. Supporters are using words like “phool si beti (flower-like daughter)” and Netaji ki poti” for Aditi, who will vote for the first time.

As Aditi navigates political currents, her mother, Dimple Yadav, answered several questions about her daughter and maintained: “Aditi is connecting with her roots. She is going from village to village and campaigning for me. This will help her understand how politics works.”

Asked about Aditi’s future political plans, Dimple told ABP News in an interview: “It will be her decision. What she is doing right now is just for the moment. But doing what one likes is the way to excel. We are not putting any pressure on her.”

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Juhi Singh also told ThePrint, “Sansad ji (Dimple Yadav) wants children to understand the conditions under which politics is done and how challenging it is. Coming into politics or not is a later question.”

“She (Aditi) is too young now. Currently, she is here on leave from London and is busy campaigning vigorously,” Singh added.

Aditi’s part in the election campaign is being managed by Akhilesh Yadav’s team. According to party insiders, Akhilesh’s squad orchestrates her daily itinerary, and to aid Aditi, he has appointed his trusted leader Nidhi Yadav. “The campaign is progressing well. At present, Aditi is seeking votes for her mother. Currently, there is no talk of her entering politics. She is getting a good response from people,” Nidhi told ThePrint.

Samajwadi Party leader Nidhi Yadav (Left) with Aditi Yadav during her campaign in Mainpuri | Krishan Murari | ThePrint

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is mobilising its full force to challenge the SP in Mainpuri, a bastion of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Prominent BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and UP CM Yogi Adityanath, have held rallies in the area.

Last week, Amit Shah at a Kishni rally said the SP, while claiming to be a well-wisher of the Yadavs, only showcases the family during elections. He declared the time has come “to end the family-based party and ensure that the lotus blooms”.

At one of Aditi’s gatherings, Nidhi Yadav said BJP’s apprehension of this young girl (Aditi) is evident, which is why senior BJP leaders were coming there to campaign. “The spirit of service has awakened in this girl (Aditi), that is why she has come among you,” she added.

Nonetheless, the BJP is consistently labelling the Samajwadi Party as a parivarwaadi (dynastic) party.

Rahul Chaturvedi, BJP district president of Mainpuri, told ThePrint, “These people consider themselves the raj parivar (royal family). To date, they have promoted no Yadav. They only promote their family members and are now bringing in the third generation.”

The Samajwadi Party has maintained its grip on Mainpuri for the past 28 years. Mulayam Singh Yadav served as the MP from this constituency five times. The constituency has an estimated 4.5 lakh Yadavs, 3.25 lakh Shakyas, 2.15 lakh Lodh Rajputs and 1.2 lakh Dalits, according to local SP booth-level workers.

Nukkad sabhas & speeches

The eldest of the three siblings, Aditi made a splash in the political arena with her unexpected entry into the election campaign, despite her lack of prior experience.

According to people close to her, Aditi enjoys badminton, and horse riding and has a fondness for Panchi petha — a treat she often carries in her SUV during campaigns. Her Instagram also showcases her appreciation for wildlife and heritage, with posts featuring Panna National Park and historic Indian forts like Datia Qila, Jahangir Mahal, and Jhansi ki Rani ka Qila.

Her educational journey is highlighted by a 98 percent score in her Class 12 exams from La Martiniere College, Lucknow, in 2020, followed by enrollment in London. Notably, Akhilesh Yadav’s trip to London for her admission had stirred controversy amid the pandemic peak, drawing criticism from Opposition parties for his departure from public duties. However, Akhilesh clarified that the trip was solely for his daughter’s admission.

Aditi was first seen in an election programme with her mother on 20 March and has since become a regular on the campaign trail. People close to her told ThePrint, “Initially she campaigned with her mother and learned the etiquette of speaking and meeting people and now she has been campaigning on her own for more than three weeks.”

Samajwadi Party’s local leaders have been instrumental in acquainting her with the party’s grassroots workers, some of whom have been with the party since the days of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Meanwhile, strategic division of the Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency into sectors, each with its own campaign in-charge, has facilitated targeted campaigning by Dimple and Aditi, who traverse distinct routes daily.

Aditi Yadav, third generation of Mulayam Singh Yadav family, during a nukkad sabha | Krishan Murari | ThePrint

Aditi’s campaign approach is marked by small nukkad sabhas, where she forges emotional connections with her audience through concise speeches, particularly focusing on women and children.

According to SP sources, Aditi has been advised not to engage with the press. This became evident when ThePrint asked her about her entry into politics at one of the nukkad sabhas to which responded merely with a smile.

On social media, Aditi’s presence is pronounced, boasting over 80,000 Instagram followers and a following of 3 lakh on X (formerly Twitter). Her posts are also political, with messages like ‘Abki baar, gayi bhajpa ki sarkar’ (This time, the BJP government is gone) and ‘aapki beti, aapke beech’ (Your daughter, among you).

अबकी बार, गई भाजपा की सरकार

जय अखिलेश जय समाजवाद✌️❤️💚 pic.twitter.com/1z37k78XZ5

— Aditi Yadav (@aditiyadav000) May 1, 2024

‘Our allegiance to SP is lifelong’

At a nukkad sabha in the Shakya-majority village of Mariar in Kishni Tuesday, the absence of a 200-metre stretch of road was a community grievance. Addressing the concern, a local leader announced that the road would be built after the elections, but for that to happen, the SP has to win.

Aditi, too, responded with a promise of resolution: “Ye mera vada hai, Jai samajwad,” amid cheers.

In her address at the Kishni assembly on 30 April Aditi had said, “Mainpuri is my home and you all are my family. Wherever I am going, I am getting love like a daughter. Thank you people for this belongingness.”

She also addressed some political issues in her speech. “Our party has always talked about youth, women and farmers. Vote for SP for equal opportunities for every section of society and to protect the rights given in the Constitution and for the development of Mainpuri. We will form a government, which will empower women, provide employment to the youth and provide good education to children,” she added.

With her many speeches and interactions, Aditi has managed to strike a chord with SP supporters. According to Bantu Yadav, from Lalgarh village in Kishni, “Our allegiance to the SP is lifelong, and we’ll continue to support it. We’re heartily welcoming Akhilesh’s daughter to the campaign trail. Should she decide to run for office, our blessings will follow.”

(Edited by Richa Mishra)