Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, over the survey of a mosque was orchestrated by the BJP, in an attempt to divert attention from electoral issues. The violence erupted during a second survey of the Jama Masjid, which some claim was originally the site of a Hindu temple. As tension rose, locals resorted to stone-pelting, prompting police to use tear gas and minor force. In response, Yadav accused the government and administration of intentionally causing chaos to distract from discussions surrounding the Uttar Pradesh bypolls, in which the BJP secured most seats while the Samajwadi Party won only two.

Yadav claimed the timing of the survey, conducted in the morning without prior preparation, was deliberately chosen to provoke emotions and avoid debate on allegations of electoral malpractice. He further alleged that the BJP and the administration had orchestrated the violence to prevent focus on issues like voter suppression and electoral rigging, particularly in the Kundarki bypolls, where Samajwadi Party supporters were reportedly prevented from voting. Citing reports and testimonies, Yadav accused the government of manipulating the electoral process through unfair tactics, including the removal of booth agents and the use of two types of voting slips to create voter discrimination.

The allegations of electoral fraud were amplified by Samajwadi Party’s candidate for Kundarki, Haji Rizwan, who claimed that his supporters were barred from voting, contributing to the BJP’s victory by a significant margin. Yadav warned that an impartial investigation, with the use of booth recordings and CCTV footage, would expose the truth behind the alleged voter suppression and fraudulent practices during the elections.