Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In the high-stakes arena of Uttar Pradesh politics, the Samajwadi Party (SP) is undertaking a significant and risky recalibration. Led by Akhilesh Yadav, the party, once the undisputed champion of the state's Muslim population, appears to be deliberately distancing itself from its traditional image. This strategic pivot is an attempt to shed the "pro-Muslim" label that the rival BJP has successfully used against it, and instead, to build a broader coalition that can challenge the saffron party's dominance.
The most visible sign of this shift is Yadav's new political formula: "PDA," which stands for Pichhde (Backward Classes), Dalits, and Alpasankhyak (Minorities). While minorities are included, political observers note their placement at the end is symbolic of a changing priority. The SP's once-powerful "M-Y" (Muslim-Yadav) equation, which brought it to power multiple times, is being quietly dismantled in public messaging.
This change isn't just in slogans; it's in the party's actions—or rather, its inaction. The SP has maintained a calculated silence on several recent issues of major concern to the Muslim community. Whether it was the controversy surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque survey, the debate over a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), or the actions taken against figures like gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, the SP's leadership has remained conspicuously quiet.
Furthermore, the party has offered muted support to its own veteran Muslim leaders facing legal troubles, such as Azam Khan and Shafiqur Rahman Barq. This hands-off approach is a stark departure from the past, where the SP would have vehemently defended its leaders and rallied its base around such issues.
This strategic silence is complemented by proactive gestures aimed at the Hindu electorate. Akhilesh Yadav has been seen making temple visits, while his wife, Dimple Yadav, has emphasized her "Rajput" heritage and devotion to Hindu deities. These moves are part of a "soft Hindutva" approach, designed to neutralize the BJP's narrative that the SP engages in "Muslim appeasement" at the expense of the Hindu majority.
The political calculation is clear. The SP believes that to win in Uttar Pradesh, it must break free from the BJP's framing and attract a larger share of the Hindu vote, particularly among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) who are not Yadavs. The party is gambling that Muslim voters, seeing no viable alternative, will continue to support the SP out of sheer necessity.
However, this is a high-wire act. By taking its core Muslim vote bank for granted, the SP risks alienating the very community that has been its staunchest supporter. A perception of abandonment could lead to voter apathy or a splintering of the minority vote, which would ultimately benefit the BJP. As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, the success or failure of this "SP 2.0" strategy will determine not only the party's future but the political landscape of India's most populous state.
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