In a strategic shift from the legacy of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was renowned for promoting Yadav representation both within and outside the family, the Samajwadi Party has opted to field only members of the Saifai family as its Yadav candidates in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Political analysts have been swift to comment on this tactical manoeuvre. Rajendra Kumar, a seasoned political observer, remarked, “Under Akhilesh’s leadership, the SP seems to be adopting a new approach by exclusively nominating Yadav candidates from within the Saifai family, a notable departure from Mulayam Singh Yadav’s strategy.”

With approximately 19.40 per cent of Yadav voters in Uttar Pradesh typically aligning with the SP, this move by Akhilesh Yadav is poised to be tested in the upcoming elections, he said.

Of the 63 seats the SP is contesting out of 80 in UP, only five Yadavs have been fielded so far – Dimple Yadav from Mainpuri, Akhilesh Yadav from Kannauj, Dharmendra Yadav from Azamgarh, Akshay Yadav from Firozabad and Aditya Yadav from Budaun. Notably, all these candidates belong to the Saifai family.

These constituencies are considered strongholds of the SP, meticulously cultivated under the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

“Historically, candidates from the Saifai family have exclusively contested from these constituencies, with rare exceptions,” noted Kumar, highlighting the party’s efforts to consolidate its hold over the Yadav vote bank.

Rajendra Chaudhary, the chief spokesperson of the SP, defended the party’s decision, citing the principle of PDA – Pichhada, Dalit and Alsankhayak (minority). “The nomination of five Yadav candidates aligns with our alliance’s framework and the principle of PDA,” Chaudhary asserted.

The exclusive nomination of candidates from the Saifai family has left many Yadavs feeling disillusioned, as the SP is traditionally seen as the authentic voice of the Yadav community.

“There is a growing sense of disconnect between Yadav voters and the party’s ticket distribution,” remarked disillusioned party members.

Comparatively, the SP has allocated 8.47 per cent of its tickets to Yadavs, while the Bahujan Samaj Party has allotted 9.30 per cent of its declared tickets to Yadavs. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded only one Yadav candidate.

Arun Yadav, state president of the All India Yadav Mahasabha, expressed disappointment, stating that Yadavs feel neglected by all parties.

“We are treated as mere vote banks without genuine representation,” he lamented, hinting at the need for Yadavs to carve out their independent political path akin to other communities like Rajputs.