NEW DELHI: BJP aims to sway Yadav voters in UP, while SP focuses on inclusivity; evolving dynamics reshape electoral strategies.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to disbalance the Yadav voters, a community that has traditionally supported the Samajwadi Party (SP). But tables seem to have turned as SP is appeasing the PDA (backward caste, Dalit, minority) moving away with the convention Muslim-Yadav tag. On the other hand, the development politics of the BJP, especially the Modi-Yogi governance model, and PM Modi’s appeal to move away from the conventional castes to create classes that comprise of farmers, youth, women, etc., have paved the way for a shift in the core youth Yadav voters finding news hope in the policies of the BJP-led central government.
Highlighting these changing dynamics, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Professor, Delhi University, Department of Political Science told The Sunday Guardian, “When we analyse political discourse in the UP, we find that while the legacy of certain political figures remains such as Mulayam Yadav, Choudhary Charan Singh, it does not influence voters to a great extent. SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) rose to power based on caste politics and then confined themselves to serving only their family’s interests. This trend became particularly evident after the Emergency, especially in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where leaders from the Yadav community rose to become chief ministers but eventually transformed into dynastic figures, prioritising self-interest over the aspirations of their community. But today, the BJP has drawn new lines by promoting leaders from every caste in the state; one recent example is that of Mohan Yadav, who rose to become the C.M. of Madhya Pradesh.
This has sent a strong message, and gradually, I believe that legacy politics in India, where if your ancestors have contributed significantly to society, then the upcoming generation will also inherit that legacy and represent it in society, will slowly diminish. Because today, there is an expression emerging within every caste and everyone’s mind that we can also do something for this country and society. I think if all political parties start adopting the BJP kind of developmental process, then we will see the representation of all communities in society, which is the essence of our country’s development and our democratic process, where we talk about the development of all and equal rights for all.”
In recent years, the BJP has been actively reaching out to the Yadav community, which makes up about 9–10% of Uttar Pradesh’s population. Their approach involves acknowledging and honouring Yadav leaders who have made contributions to society and politics. For instance, PM Modi’s virtual address on the 10th death anniversary of Chaudhary Harmohan Singh Yadav, a former MP and close associate of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, is seen as part of this outreach effort.
The BJP’s success in the Azamgarh Lok Sabha bypoll, where Bhojpuri film actor Dinesh Lal Yadav, a member of the Yadav community, emerged victorious, also reflects the party’s increasing popularity among Yadav voters. Furthermore, the party’s recruitment of prominent Yadav leaders from other parties, such as Aparna Yadav from the SP, has been a notable strategy to attract Yadav votes. The BJP contends that many Yadavs, especially the youth, are moving away from the SP due to their dissatisfaction with the party’s caste-based politics and are now embracing their ‘Hindu’ identity by aligning with the BJP.
However, the SP is also trying hard to retain its core vote bank. I. P. Singh. national spokesperson. SP told The Sunday Guardian, “The steps taken by the BJP in the name of representation to make it look like they tend to not appease the masses, but Akhilesh Yadav has established himself as an inclusive leader; the BJP only talks of token representation.
Historically, the Yadavs have been the core support base of the SP, founded by Mulayam Singh Yadav. Since its formation in 1992, the SP has enjoyed unwavering support from the Yadav community. In recent years, there have been shifts in voting patterns. For instance, during the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls, a portion of Yadav voters, 27% and 23%, respectively, supported the BJP.
As of 2024, the SP, under Akhilesh Yadav’s leadership, has made a strategic move by nominating only members of the Saifai family as its Yadav candidates in the Lok Sabha election. This has led to some disillusionment among Yadav voters, as they feel neglected by all parties and treated as mere vote banks without genuine representation.
With inputs from Mohammad Afsar.