Akhilesh says dynastic politics kept Samajwadi Party intact

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Saturday that having five MPs from his own family helped the party avoid a split. Speaking to PTI, he said, "Sometimes dynastic politics has its benefits." He added that even if some MPs leave, the party's numbers would not decrease because of family MPs, Muslim MPs and staunch socialists. The Times of India reports this as the lead framing, highlighting Yadav's defence of dynastic politics.

The Hindu reports that Yadav also announced a separate youth manifesto for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, focusing on education and employability. Yadav said the party never breaks alliances and its fight is against the BJP. He accused the state government of weakening primary education. Meanwhile, Mayawati demanded an apology from Yadav for an apparent slight against the Jat community, calling his remark "indecent." The RLD's Jayant Chaudhary also criticised Yadav.

Yadav attacked the BJP over rising prices of essential commodities, questioned the use of sugarcane for ethanol production, and alleged that journalists face pressure under BJP rule. He reiterated the party's focus on the PDA bloc, backward classes, Dalits and minorities. The SP plans to release its youth manifesto ahead of the election, with proposals including model schools and an allowance for unemployed youth.