On Thursday, Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party, met Swami Avimukteshwaranand in Lucknow, a meeting that lasted for about an hour. Post meeting, Yadav addressed the media, discussing various political and religious issues. He expressed that receiving blessings from the Shankaracharya is a matter of great honor for him and indicated a shift away from 'fake saints,' emphasizing the importance of genuine spiritual leaders in guiding society and the religion towards the right path.

During his address, Yadav also reflected on the policies of his government, particularly from his tenure when the Samajwadi Party was in power. He highlighted the measures taken for the service and protection of cows, asserting that if given another opportunity, his party would continue to enhance efforts towards animal protection. This aligns with the party's ongoing focus on religious and cultural themes that resonate well with their constituency.

In addition to addressing religious themes, Yadav also took the opportunity to criticize the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly concerning the current gas crisis in the state. He accused the state government of creating an artificial shortage of gas, using this as a platform to rally support against the BJP in the lead-up to future electoral battles. This meeting underscores the intertwined nature of politics and religion in regional Indian politics, as leaders seek to consolidate their positions ahead of elections.