A viral video featuring Shivpal Yadav, who is the Samajwadi Party in Budaun, has stirred controversy ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In the video, Yadav is heard stating, “We will seek everyone’s vote. If you vote for us, it is all right, otherwise, the matter will be settled later.”
The purported video, which also includes SP MLA Brajesh Yadav and Shivpal’s son, lacks clear context regarding the location and date of the remarks.
Yadav later told news agency PTI that the video, dated March 15, was captured during Shivpal Yadav’s visit to the Bilsi assembly constituency in Budaun.
Shivpal Yadav, currently serving as an SP MLA from Jaswantnagar, Etawah district, clarified that the 20-25-second video snippet failed to capture the full context of his statement.
He said that his remarks were directed at those who, despite contesting assembly elections under the SP banner, chose to vote for other parties. He emphasized the notion of voters holding such individuals accountable during the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, Budaun District Magistrate Manoj Kumar said, “We have traced the video, and information about this video has been sought by the office of the chief electoral Officer of UP. The contents of the video are being probed. Based on the probe report, action will be taken.”
Budaun is scheduled for polling in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 7.