Akhilesh Yadav’s Rs 5 Crore Luxury Bus Arrives in Lucknow, SP Gears Up for 2027 UP Poll Campaign

A customised Mercedes bus designed for Akhilesh Yadav’s proposed ‘PDA Rath Yatra’ has reached Lucknow as the Samajwadi Party prepares for a statewide campaign ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Post Published By: Aditya Wadhawan

Updated : 17 September 2026, 7:19 PM IST

SP’s ‘PDA Rath Yatra’ bus unveiled ahead of 2027 Uttar Pradesh election preparations (Image: Google)

Lucknow: A customised Mercedes campaign bus for Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav’s proposed statewide ‘PDA Rath Yatra’ arrived at the party headquarters in Lucknow on Wednesday, ahead of the expected campaign launch for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The SP has not yet announced the final dates, routes or locations for the proposed bus yatra, which is expected to begin in the last week of October.

High-Tech Mercedes Bus Prepared for Statewide Yatra

The 15-metre-long red Mercedes bus has been specially modified for political campaigning. The vehicle includes advanced facilities such as bulletproof glass, a hydraulic lift for addressing public gatherings, meeting space, a sofa-cum-bed area, kitchen and pantry facilities, washroom, CCTV cameras, LED screens, Wi-Fi connectivity and air-conditioning.

The upgraded campaign vehicle is estimated to have undergone refurbishment at a cost of around Rs 2 to Rs 5 crore.

‘PDA Rath Yatra’ Focuses on Backward, Dalit and Minority Outreach

The upcoming campaign is based on the Samajwadi Party’s PDA formula — representing Pichda (Backward), Dalit and Alpsankhyak (Minority) communities. The party has highlighted the PDA campaign after its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, where SP won 37 out of 80 seats. The BJP’s tally in Uttar Pradesh declined compared with the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, while the Congress, an SP ally, also increased its seat count.

Campaign Bus Displays SP’s Social Justice Message

The red-coloured bus arrived at the SP headquarters with the branding “Samajwadi PDA Yatra” displayed on its sides. One side of the vehicle features Akhilesh Yadav’s picture along with the slogan: “Samajik Nyay Ka Parcham Lehrayega, PDA Hi Parivartan Layega.” The other side carries an image of SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav with the message: “PDA Samajik Andolan Hai, Samajik Nyay Ka Sangharsh Hai.”

Images of Ambedkar, Lohia and Other Leaders Featured

The campaign vehicle also displays pictures of prominent social and political figures, including Dr B R Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia, Janeshwar Mishra and Beni Prasad Verma. Akhilesh Yadav had previously used similar campaign buses during the 2016-17 and 2021 political campaigns.

SP Begins Preparations for 2027 UP  Elections

Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party has increased focus on its PDA outreach campaign. Akhilesh Yadav has described the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election as a contest centred around BJP versus PDA, as both major political groups prepare their strategies for the state polls.