Akhilesh Yadav drops I-PAC ahead of UP polls, says Samajwadi Party lacks funds

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Yadav said the agreement was withdrawn due to financial constraints.

“We simply don’t have funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company,” he said in a lighter vein.

I-PAC deal scrapped months after tie-up

NDTV, quoting sources, reported that I-PAC had been tasked with handling constituencies where the SP narrowly lost in the 2022 Assembly election. However, the arrangement has now been terminated.

The party is expected to continue working with Showtime, another campaign management firm with whom it signed a contract around two months ago.

Timing raises questions

The decision comes soon after I-PAC-backed opposition parties suffered crushing defeats in recent state elections.

The All India Trinamool Congress was routed in West Bengal, while the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam lost power in Tamil Nadu to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by actor-politician Vijay.

However, Akhilesh Yadav denied any connection between those defeats and the break-up with I-PAC.

Shadow of ED probe

The split also follows the arrest of Vinesh Chandel in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Bengal coal scam.

The Enforcement Directorate has alleged irregular fund transfers involving the company. Chandel was later released on bail.

High-stakes 2027 battle

The 2027 Uttar Pradesh election is widely seen as a crucial contest for Akhilesh Yadav, whose party is viewed as the principal challenger to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.

With several opposition leaders facing recent electoral setbacks, the SP now appears to be recalibrating strategy for one of India’s biggest political battles.