Jhansi, July 13 -- Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday stepped up the BJP's attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP), alleging that under Akhilesh Yadav's leadership it had abandoned its socialist ideology in favour of appeasement politics. He claimed that the party was no longer "Samajwadi" but had turned into a "Namazwadi Party". Speaking to reporters during his visit to Jhansi, Maurya questioned the SP's recent attempts to project itself as a party rooted in Sanatan traditions. He said the party's earlier leaders might have identified with Sanatan values, but under Akhilesh Yadav, it had become synonymous with appeasement and was known for shielding criminals, the mafia, goons and corrupt elements. He also described the present-day SP as a "fake" Samajwadi Party. Replying to Akhilesh Yadav's recent remark, "Parajay kaal viprit buddhi", Maurya said the outcome of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections would expose the SP's political decline. He asserted that after the election, the party would remain confined to its stronghold of Saifai and would cease to have a meaningful presence across the state. When asked about Akhilesh Yadav's claim that the BJP would lose power in 2027, Maurya dismissed the prediction, saying similar assertions had been made repeatedly since 2014 but had failed to materialise. He maintained that while the BJP had continued to expand its electoral base over the years, both the Samajwadi Party and the Congress had steadily weakened. According to him, the BJP's success was rooted in its focus on development, good governance, welfare of the poor and women empowerment. Maurya declined to comment on Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar's allegation that Akhilesh Yadav charged Rs 5,000 for a handshake, saying he was unaware of the statement and that minister should be asked about it directly. Responding to comments made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, who reportedly accused the BJP of becoming the "Babar Janata Party" and claimed his party was protecting Lord Ram from the BJP, Maurya brushed aside the criticism. "He is still a child. I have no comments on what he says," he remarked. The deputy chief minister also rejected speculation that his increasing visits to Jhansi indicated he might contest the next assembly election from the constituency. Calling it a hypothetical question, he said decisions regarding candidates and constituencies were taken by the BJP's central leadership and that he had no such intention. He added that his visits to Jhansi were part of his regular tours across different districts of UP....