The Samajwadi Party has announced its strategic move to commence the preparations for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Naimisharanya Dham, throwing a hint that Akhilesh Yadav is now ready to pedal soft Hindutva.
Over the past week, Akhilesh Yadav has been actively engaging with party workers and has decided to organise a two-day workers’ training camp at Naimisharanya from June 9.
Political experts believe that the SP has formulated a plan to incorporate a strategy of soft Hindutva politics alongside the Bharatiya Janata Party’s hard Hindutva agenda, particularly evident in their focus on Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura.
Considering the SP’s recent electoral setbacks, including defeats in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 2017 and 2022 assembly elections, and the municipal elections in 2023, the party is striving to regain its foothold and mount a formidable challenge to the BJP’s supremacy.
“The choice of Naimisharanya as the launch pad for the SP’s campaign holds symbolic significance. According to the Puranas, Naimisharanya derives its name from the swiftness with which demons were vanquished by devas. The SP sees this as an opportune moment to begin its efforts to challenge the BJP’s dominance,” a former MLA said.
Approximately 5,000 party workers, including 3,000 booth committee members, are expected to participate in the programme, while senior party leaders have been requested to be present throughout the two-day event.
Political experts suggest that this decision stems from the SP’s intent to appease the Brahmin voters, in addition to its traditional support base of Yadavs, Muslims, and Dalits. Swami Prasad Maurya’s past comments on Ramcharitmanas are believed to have caused a rift between the SP and a section of the electorate, necessitating a fresh approach to regain their trust.
Akhilesh Yadav has instructed party spokespersons to exercise caution in religious matters and refrain from making statements that could offend a section. He has further prohibited party leaders from discussing religious topics on social media platforms.
The training camp will focus on imparting effective election-winning strategies to party workers, including booth management, voter list verification, and mobilisation strategies.
Akhilesh Yadav had kick-started his 2022 assembly election from Chitrakoot.
Insiders in the party interpret the SP decision to commence training in 80 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh as a crucial move. The party is reportedly preparing its youth members to contest the election on approximately 30 to 40 Lok Sabha seats.
Insiders claim the SP is attempting to unite Lohiaites and Ambedkarites, aiming to present itself as an alternative to the BJP. The party is actively working to establish a connection with Dalits and Other Backward Classes, emphasising its commitment to these marginalised communities. Having secured around 38 per cent of the votes in the recent assembly elections, the SP has set a target of obtaining 40-45 per cent of the votes in the upcoming polls.
As the SP commences its training camp and sets its sights on the 2024 elections, the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh appears poised for an intense battle for power, with the SP attempting to reshape its political strategy and broaden its support base.
