Akhilesh Yadav's pro-Sanatan push ahead of Uttar Pradesh polls triggers ‘unease’ in BJP
Barely a few months ago, Yadav's wife and party MP Dimple Yadav had visited the Shankaracharya's camp in Mainpuri during his ‘pad yatra’ to press his demand to declare cow ‘Rashtra Mata’ and sought his blessings.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s recent overtures to Sanatan Dharma ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections have reportedly caused unease within the Bharatiya Janata Party. The shift in Yadav’s stance is seen as an attempt to woo Hindu voters traditionally aligned with the BJP.
Dimple Yadav's meeting with Shankaracharya
In a significant move, Dimple Yadav, the Samajwadi Party MP from Mainpuri and Akhilesh Yadav’s wife, met with Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati at his camp in Mainpuri during his ‘pad yatra’. The yatra was aimed at pressing the demand to declare the cow as ‘Rashtra Mata’ (Mother of the Nation). Dimple Yadav sought the Shankaracharya’s blessings, signaling the party’s growing inclination towards Hindu religious symbols.
BJP's reaction to the shift
The BJP has expressed concern over the Samajwadi Party’s new strategy. Senior BJP leaders have termed it a ‘political gimmick’ aimed at diverting attention from the party’s alleged appeasement politics. According to a BJP spokesperson, “Akhilesh Yadav’s sudden love for Sanatan Dharma is nothing but a vote-bank tactic. The people of Uttar Pradesh will not be fooled by such opportunistic moves.”
Impact on upcoming elections
Political analysts believe that Akhilesh Yadav’s pro-Sanatan push could potentially erode the BJP’s traditional Hindu vote base, especially in the backdrop of the Shankaracharya’s criticism of the BJP government over the cow protection issue. The Samajwadi Party’s efforts to project a more inclusive image might resonate with voters who are disillusioned with the ruling party’s performance on key issues.
As the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections approach, the political landscape is witnessing realignments, with the Samajwadi Party attempting to shed its secular image and embrace Hindu symbolism. The BJP, on its part, is likely to counter this by highlighting the Samajwadi Party’s past record on minority appeasement and alleged corruption.
