Dhurandhar-inspired posters with ‘Lyari raj’ slogan target Akhilesh Yadav in UP ahead of 2027 polls

The posters, put up outside the Amethi railway station and at various intersections, carry a slogan “Aap ko kya chahiye? Akhilesh ka Lyari raj.”

Updated on: Apr 7, 2026, 16:36:02 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, posters inspired by the Bollywood film Dhurandhar, targeting Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, have been put up across parts of Lucknow and Amethi.

The Samajwadi Party has strongly criticised the move, terming it politically motivated. (ANI)

The posters, put up outside the Amethi railway station and at various intersections, carry a slogan "Aap ko kya chahiye? Akhilesh ka Lyari raj," news agency PTI reported.

The reference to “Lyari” points to a locality in Karachi, Pakistan, once known for gang violence, which is also mentioned in the film. The messaging appears aimed at drawing a comparison between that imagery and the Samajwadi Party leader’s tenure.

Also read | A drone crashes in UP village, Akhilesh says ‘people thought a stray missile', lambasts BJP govt

Similar hoardings were also reported from multiple locations in Lucknow on Tuesday.

The hoardings have reportedly been put up by a group calling itself “Youth Against Mafia”. The posters juxtapose alleged incidents of violence and riots during Yadav’s time as chief minister with the current government’s crackdown on mafia and criminals under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Names and photographs of the organisation’s office-bearers, including its executive president, general secretary and Pratapgarh in-charge, are displayed on the posters.

Samajwadi Party hits back

The Samajwadi Party has strongly criticised the move, terming it politically motivated. Party spokesperson in Amethi, advocate Rajesh Mishra, said the posters reflected the “frustration and desperation” of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government.

Also read | Samajwadi Party rule halted development in Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya targets Akhilesh

He alleged that such tactics were being used because the BJP had realised it would not return to power, adding that the public was aware of these “attempts to mislead”.

Local authorities have taken note of the development. Amethi police station in-charge Ravi Singh said that information about the posters had been received and a team had been dispatched to the locations.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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