India, June 18 -- As BJP leaders predicted a major split in the Samajwadi Party, party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Thursday hit back at the saffron camp, claiming the ruling party was "rattled" by the rising popularity of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and was therefore making "baseless statements" about defections.

His remarks came in response to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's claim that several Samajwadi Party MPs were in touch with the BJP ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

"The situation is that the BJP is rattled by the growing popularity of Akhilesh Yadav, and in its panic, it is making baseless statements. The public's faith, trust, and confidence have increased for SP and Akhilesh Yadav." Prasad s...