From red to blue, Samajwadi Party plans new look for its student wing. Here’s why

The Samajwadi Party is reportedly planning to give its student wing, Samajwadi Party Chhatra Sabha, a blue dress code as part of its broader strategy to connect with the youth, particularly the Dalit youth, ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. This move is seen as a response to the colour's long-standing association with Dalit-Ambedkerite politics in the state, where two other parties — Bahujan Samaj Party and Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) — already utilise blue.

The announcement is likely to be made by party president Akhilesh Yadav, as the SP aims to differentiate its various youth organisations and create clearer identities for them. The BJP has reacted negatively to the news, stating that the move is a ploy to woo Dalit voters and pointing to the SP's "poor record" on Dalit issues. The SP has also highlighted the poor condition of government schools and the closure of nearly 26,000 primary schools, which could be part of its efforts to address the concerns of younger voters.