Akhilesh supporter attempts suicide, alert sounded in UP after protests
Rahul Singh, a leader of the Samajwadi Party’s youth wing and a loyalist of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, tried to immolate himself by pouring kerosene in front of the CM’s residence in Lucknow on Friday.
Rahul Singh, a leader of the Samajwadi Party’s youth wing and a loyalist of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, tried to immolate himself by pouring kerosene in front of the CM’s residence in Lucknow on Friday.
A Samajwadi Party supporter tries self-immolation outside CM Akhilesh Yadav's residence in Lucknow on Friday. (PTI)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
He was protesting against Akhilesh’s expulsion from the party over alleged indiscipline. Soon after Akhilesh’s father and party chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav, announced the shock decision, hundreds thronged to the CM’s 5 Kalidas Marg residence.
Shouting slogans, they expressed solidarity with the 43-year-old Akhilesh. Singh, who was seeking an SP ticket from Lucknow East, was among them. After his immolation bid, police rushed the Lucknow University student to a hospital nearby.
Security personnel deployed outside the UP CM Akhilesh Yadav's residence.
Fire-tenders and police teams were deployed outside the CM’s residence, as supporters accused Mulayam of doing “injustice” by expelling Akhilesh and his (Mulayam’s) cousin Ram Gopal Yadav.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Later at night, a high alert was sounded across the state in the wake of the ongoing war in the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP). Officials said instructions were sent to all district magistrates and police chiefs following protests.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Later at night, a high alert was sounded across the state in the wake of the ongoing war in the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP). Officials said instructions were sent to all district magistrates and police chiefs following protests.
{{/usCountry}}
Security arrangements were stepped up outside the SP headquarters in the state capital, the CM’s residence and the house of party chief Mulayam.
Pawan Dixit, Assistant Editor, brings over 20 years of frontline reporting experience to the newsroom. A specialist on Uttar Pradesh politics and governance, he has reported from the ground across the state’s most consequential stories. He cut his teeth in eastern UP, spending 15 years covering the region. Based in Varanasi, he reported the 2012 UP Assembly polls and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections that reshaped the state’s political map. Moving to Lucknow in 2016, he has since led coverage of the 2017 and 2022 UP Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. His reporting tracks the BJP’s strategy, opposition moves, and voter sentiment across all 75 districts. Pawan has been a constant presence in Ayodhya since 2016. He reported the entire arc of the Ram Mandir movement — from the legal fight to the Supreme Court verdict, through temple construction, to the inauguration. He continues to track every development at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. On the state beat, he covers the BJP, the Industrial Development Department, and handles key outstation political assignments. He also reports major cases from the district court, Lucknow bench of the High Court, and the State Information Commission. Along with this, he also reports on NGT's important decisions related to UP. Known for sharp sourcing and clear analysis, Pawan connects politics, policy, infrastructure and faith — the forces driving UP today. He has reported developments in Ayodhya and Ram Mandir movement since 2016. The Supreme Court's Ram Mandir verdict, temple construction and the its opening have been reported by him.
He reports all developments in Ayodhya and Ram Mandir Trust.
He covers state BJP, Industrial development department, outstation political assignments, reports special cases from district court, high court and state information commission
{{^usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.
