Etah, resonating with historical significance through luminaries like Amir Khusro and Tulsidas, recently witnessed the resurgence of a bygone era as the unlikely camaraderie between former foes Mulayam Singh Yadav and Kalyan Singh rekindled. Their once-prominent alliance, pivotal in shaping Etah’s political contours, now rests as a relic of history, leaving behind a legacy defined by shifting loyalties and entrenched caste dynamics.
Kalyan Singh, synonymous with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, forged a surprising alliance with Mulayam Singh Yadav, affectionately known as Maulana Mulayam, during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections in Etah. Contesting as an independent after parting ways with the Bharatiya Janata Party, Kalyan Singh secured a landslide victory, partly attributing his success to the support extended by Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, their brief alignment dissolved post-election, highlighting the transient nature of political affiliations in the region.
Etah’s political narrative intricately intertwines with caste considerations, where alliances form and disband based on intricate caste permutations. The Lodh community, constituting approximately 16 per cent of the electorate, remains steadfast in its allegiance to Kalyan Singh’s legacy, ensuring the electoral triumph of his son, Rajveer Singh alias Raju Bhaiya, who clinched victories in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections and now vies for a third term.
Conversely, the Yadav community, comprising 14 per cent of the electorate, traditionally aligns with the Samajwadi Party, although the BJP has recently sought to penetrate the Yadav voters. The recent defection of Kunwar Devendra Yadav, a staunch SP loyalist, to the BJP, has injected a new dynamic into Etah’s electoral equation.
With Yadavs and Lodhs evenly matched in numerical strength, the pivotal role lies with the Shakya voters, constituting approximately 8 per cent of the electorate. The departure of Devendra Singh Yadav to the BJP prompted SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to pin his hopes on Devesh Shakya, a prominent figure within the Shakya community, renowned for his electoral prowess.
In a bid to consolidate support, Akhilesh Yadav has intensified efforts to court Jatav voters, comprising 12 per cent of the electorate. At a recent rally, he launched a scathing attack on the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, accusing them of harbouring intentions to alter the Constitution, and urging voters to perceive the upcoming elections as a watershed moment with far-reaching implications for future generations.
Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party has fielded a Muslim candidate, Mohammad Irfan, banking on the support of the 9 per cent Muslim electorate. Irfan’s candidacy poses a potential challenge to Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA (Pichhada, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) formula, although the extent of its impact remains uncertain.
Despite the intricate electoral calculus and shifting alliances, the enduring legacy of Kalyan Singh continues to wield formidable influence in this Lodh-dominated constituency. The popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, coupled with tangible improvements in law and order, have bolstered the BJP’s prospects, potentially dampening the anti-incumbency sentiment faced by sitting MP Rajveer Singh alias Raju Bhaiya.
As Etah’s political landscape evolves, driven by intricate caste dynamics and shifting allegiances, the electorate grapples with a myriad of pressing issues, ranging from infrastructural inadequacies to socio-political aspirations. In this crucible of competing interests and ideological fervour, the fate of Etah hangs in the balance, awaiting the verdict of its discerning electorate come election day.
Candidates:
- Devesh Shakya (SP)
- Rajveer Singh (BJP)
- Mohammad Irfan (BSP)
