'Tinnu Talking To Tipu?' BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Issues Apology To Akhilesh Yadav Over Remark

Published 14 July 2026 · local

'Tinnu Talking To Tipu?' BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Issues Apology To Akhilesh Yadav Over Remark Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 11:38

'Tinnu Talking To Tipu?' BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Issues Apology To Akhilesh Yadav Over Remark Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 11:38 IST Dubey's post on social media had linked Akhilesh Yadav with Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav, an accused in the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case. Rapid Read BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. (Sansad TV) The political and legal battle triggered by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s social media post linking Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav with Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav, an accused in the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case, took a fresh turn after the BJP leader tendered an apology before Akhilesh Yadav’s counsel, saying he had no intention to defame the SP president. The apology marks the latest development in a controversy that has rapidly snowballed into a high-profile political confrontation, with legal notices, police complaints and sharp exchanges between the ruling BJP and the Opposition SP.

The dispute began after Dubey shared a social media post referring to Tinnu Yadav, who is among the key accused in the alleged embezzlement of donations collected at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. While reposting the claim, Dubey wrote, “Wasn’t Tinnu talking to Tipu?" – a remark widely interpreted as suggesting a connection between Akhilesh Yadav, who is often referred to by his nickname “Tipu", and the accused. The Samajwadi Party reacted strongly, calling the allegation baseless and defamatory. Akhilesh Yadav publicly demanded that the BJP MP delete the post within ten minutes or face criminal proceedings. He alleged that the BJP was attempting to divert attention from the alleged irregularities surrounding the Ram Temple donation case by targeting the Opposition with unsubstantiated allegations. The SP subsequently served a legal notice on Dubey seeking an unconditional apology and withdrawal of the post, while party workers lodged police complaints in Lucknow and Etawah demanding registration of an FIR against the BJP MP.

As the matter reached the legal arena, Dubey apologised before Akhilesh Yadav’s lawyer, stating that there was no intention to damage the SP chief’s reputation. His statement is being seen as an attempt to de-escalate the controversy after the legal notice and threat of defamation proceedings. However, the apology is unlikely to immediately end the political slugfest. SP leaders have maintained that the allegations were part of a deliberate misinformation campaign designed to shift focus from the alleged financial irregularities involving the Ram Temple donation collection system. The controversy is also closely intertwined with the ongoing investigation into the alleged donation theft racket. Tinnu Yadav, a former driver and aide associated with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has been identified by investigators as one of the principal accused. According to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), he allegedly exercised unauthorised control over donation box keys and access to the counting process, enabling systematic misappropriation of devotees’ offerings.